Joondalup signs UK developer for mixed-used project

The City of Joondalup has selected UK-based firm Seven Capital to enter negotiations to build the city’s biggest commercial and residential development.

Seven Capital’s proposal to build a 20,000 square metre commercial office, residential units, hotel accommodation and multi-storey car park was chosen by the City of Joondalup as being state–of-the-art, iconic in appearance and providing a statement about Joondalup as a city.

Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said he hoped the state government would be a major tenant in the proposed development, which he said would provide a better space for its proposed new state office.

In November 2012, the state government announced it was seeking expressions of interest for a site to relocate a department or agency with 600 public sector workers to Joondalup.

Through consultants VSA, the state said its preferred site was the corner of Kendrew Crescent and Grand Boulevard.

Mr Pickard said the new development, which is proposed for an underutilised area of the city, was in a more ideal location in the city centre.

“There are a number of challenges associated with the (state government’s preferred site) and the city will respond to the expressions of interest with a well-developed and considered submission for this alternative site within the Joondalup city centre,” he said.

The proposed redevelopment will be built near the existing Lotteries House, Joondalup library, civic centre and administration building, linking the buildings together.

Part of Seven Capital’s proposal includes a hotel from the Staywell Hospitality group, which is based in Sydney and manages 26 properties in Australia and Asia-Pacific.

Staywell's hotel in Joondalup would be its first hotel in Western Australia.

Seven Capital recently invested in Staywell’s plans to develop a £100 million, 12-storey luxury hotel in Birmingham, as Staywell seeks to expand into the UK as well as Morocco, India, China and New Zealand.

Seven Capital managing director Phil Carlin said Seven Capital was very keen to work collaboratively with Joondalup council on its response to the state government expressions of interest for office accommodation, and that it was looking forward to bringing innovative architectural style and intensity to the development.

“This will be the first major project for Seven Capital in WA and we are excited about the prospect of working closely with the City of Joondalup for what we feel will be a fantastic mixed use development and a new public space for people to enjoy,” Mr Carlin said.

Negotiations between the City of Joondalup and Seven Capital will now take place with the aim of executing a memorandum of understanding to enter into exclusive negotiations.