- The design was revised from nine to seven levels after consultation
- Gary Dempsey happy with the Commission's decision given the years of planning for the project
- The building will home 12 apartments and a ground floor café along with green open public space
Despite resistance and hiccups along the way, the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) has approved Gary Dempsey Development’s (GDD) Marine Parade Cottesloe development.
Located between the Beaches Café and the Cottesloe General Store, the luxury beachfront development is the result of years of planning, consultation and design.
The GDD team worked with WA architectural practice Klopper & Davis Architects to produce the design which was revised from nine to seven levels following extensive community advertising and consultation by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage due to the significant development assessment pathway.
To reduce the overall height, the number of apartments has been reduced from 14 to 12 and a planned roof terrace abandoned, effectively removing two stories.
David Caddy, WAPC chairman, added that in approving the development, the commission had noted the high quality of the design. Additionally, the design was supported by the Heritage Council.
Gary Dempsey said he was happy with the Commission’s decision given the years of planning and investment for the project.
“We have listened to the community’s feedback and commentary at each stage of the approval process and adjusted our design accordingly,” he said.
“Escalating construction costs in WA are currently proving a real barrier to getting projects off the ground, so we are happy to have finally got to the stage where we can commence construction works, albeit later than we would have hoped.
Gary Dempsey
“As evidenced in numerous media reports in recent months, rising construction costs and lack of skilled labour and materials are pushing out completion timelines and having a significant impact on the ability of developers to viably bring good projects to market.”
The revised design has resulted in the developer recording an average of 8.3 NathERS rating, well above the six-star requirement.
Along with the apartments, there will be a publicly accessible green open space and a ground floor café.
Mr Dempsey said he expected construction to commence early next year and added that along with all GDD developments, 120 Marine Parade will be a non-smoking environment.
