Chasecrown lodges new application for $160m luxury apartments in Glenelg

New “scaled-down” plans for a $160m apartment project in Glenelg have been revealed after a long-running feud between developers and local residents.

Local residents will get another say on contentious plans to build a $160m luxury apartment complex on the Glenelg foreshore, with revised designs revealed by developers for the first time after more than a year of legal wrangling.

Chasecrown has lodged a new development application for its proposed development at the former Seawall Apartments site on South Esplanade, about 500m south of Moseley Square, reaching a top height of 10 storeys.

The state planning authority previously rejected a 13-storey proposal from Chasecrown in July 2021, a decision the developer appealed in the Environment Resources and Development Court.

Chasecrown has decided not to pursue its original plan for a 13-storey development and is pushing ahead with the 10-storey alternative, which was previously endorsed by SCAP (State Commission Assessment Panel), in what opponents described at the time as a “secret” deal between the developer and the planning authority to reach a compromise.

The new 10-storey design of Chasecrown’s proposed development. Picture: Chasecrown

Chasecrown says the scaled-down version follows feedback from the local council, community and SCAP, and public consultation would soon open for its latest plans.

“The change to the original design and height of the project has been adopted after listening to feedback from council, community and SCAP, with the new plan already receiving strong support from members of the local community,” Chasecrown director Louis Kanellos said.

The original 13-storey design which was rejected by SCAP in 2021.

“The building’s design and proposed enhancements to the public areas around the building will not only enhance the aesthetics of the built form along the Glenelg foreshore, but contribute to the wellbeing and enjoyment of residents and the local community.”

The revised design scales from a top height of 10 storeys at the northern end, adjacent to the 12-storey Saltram Tower, down to four storeys at the southern end where there is predominantly low-rise housing.

Demolition for the Seawall Apartments in April 2022. Source: Supplied

The building will include 72 apartments, reduced from the originally planned 93, as well as a yoga and wellness area, gym and outdoor pool.

Chasecrown has also committed to a “significant investment” in the public space around the building, including an upgraded pedestrian link between Oldham St and the esplanade, with new trees, landscaping, green walls, patterned brick walkway and a public art installation.

Save our Seawall Apartments group founding member Karen DeCean, who has led local opposition to the project, said construction on the site should be limited to its five-storey limit.

A montage by Save our Seawall Apartments group from February 2021 shows the former building on the site. Picture: Dean Martin

“The good thing about it going back as a new application is that now anyone can have a say,” she said.

“Five storeys is in our book probably decent but 10 is just getting very difficult for the area.

“Everyone in the immediate vicinity is going to suffer. From the ocean to Brighton Rd is already a bottleneck … and it will really change that area quite dramatically, which is such a shame because it’s the sleepy end.”

However, local Cibo cafe owner Tony Beatrice said the project would provide a major boost for local businesses.

“We need to grow our permanent population to help create a vibrant community all year round to support the local economy,” he said.