Plans for an eight-storey office building near Jacob’s Ladder in West Perth have been put on hold while the City of Perth’s planning committee reconsiders a development application for the site.
The application, submitted by architects Lawrence J Scanlan and Associates, was referred back to the committee after concerns were raised over the project breaching height restrictions in the area.
Director Laurie Scanlan said that while there had been some concern from residents over the height of the building and retaining walls, the steep topography of the area had necessitated an extra storey.
The 3,724 square metre building would include a roof garden, car stacker for 65 vehicles and bicycle racks.
Mr Scanlan said he had also approached the council about an interactive art project to be built on the retaining walls adjacent to Jacob’s Ladder.
The retaining walls would be less than 10 per cent of the boundary and the 300-step Jacob’s Ladder staircase would not be closed during construction.
Mr Scanlan said the building would be one of the highest rating green developments in the area if it proceeded.
“We will be looking at a 4.5 to 5-star green star building,” he said.
The design also includes a drinking fountain and bike racks at the foot of Jacob’s Ladder.
Mr Scanlan said the development application would go back to the planning committee this week, with the full council expected to vote on the project at its next meeting.
The site for the proposed building is owned by Swanhill Enterprises Pty Ltd, which is part-owned by the Di Latte family of Belmont-based group Diploma Construction.
According to current office rents for A grade stock in West Perth, the space could be worth $550/sqm.
