MAJOR construction work on the redevelopment of the old Railway Hotel site on Barrack Street, Perth is expected to start by the end of this month.
Pre-construction works such as realigning sewer pipes and setting the pylons for the building have been completed.
To be known as Barrack Plaza, the site – vacant except for the rebuilt facade of the old hotel – will be turned into a 15-level development consisting of shops, a restaurant or cafe, serviced apartments and apartments.
That facade – rebuilt in 1996 after Mr Scaffidi was fined for the demolition of the old hotel site in 1992 – will form part of the building’s entry statement.
The development is understood to be worth $20 million and the project builder is likely to be Consolidated Constructions.
Developer Joe Scaffidi said sales for Barrack Plaza had been strong – despite the small amount of marketing the company had conducted. The three retail outlets on the ground floor have all been sold and most of the apartments have been bought.
Mr Scaffidi said he opted to keep ownership of the serviced apartment complex that is to be on levels two to nine.
Medina Serviced Apartments, which will be managing the serviced apartments at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, has signed a 10-year lease, with two five-year extension options, for the 100-apartment Barrack Street complex.
The remainder of the building will house 48 apartments – most of which have been sold.
Pro Property is the selling agent for the property.
Mr Scaffidi has also opted to retain ownership of the restaurant-cafe space.
The site has a hotel licence but he is in the process of having that changed to a tavern licence.
“I’ve asked for tenders on ideas for the space. We’ve had three people come to us so far but there’s no real rush,” he said.