Historic buildings knocked down to make way for contentious $165m apartment block in Glenelg

Demolition has started in Glenelg to make way for $165m worth of apartments in place of heritage buildings that had “fallen into disrepair”.

Demolition has started on a group of historic houses to make way for a contentious $165m, 13-storey apartment tower.

At least one non heritage-listed building had already been knocked down since work started on Monday because the buildings had “fallen into a state of disrepair”, developer Chasecrown said.

Approval was not required to demolish the buildings.

However, nearby residents and members of the SOS (Save Our Seawall) group said they were not told about the demolition at 21-25 South Esplanade.

Demolition has started to make way for a $165m apartment complex. Source: Supplied

SOS Save Our Seawall Apartments founding member Karen DeCean said Chasecrown had “taken the heart and soul” out of the area.

She said it was “absolutely appalling” that residents had not been told about the works.

“To have such disruption to your life starting you would have thought you would get a courtesy note or phone call at least … but they got nothing,” Ms DeCean said.

“It is just such a loss for everything to go … it’s pretty sad.

“I actually couldn’t go see it yesterday until the afternoon when I built up the courage to look at it.”

The Demolition of the Seawall Apartments has begun at Glenelg, 5 April 2022. Picture: SOS Save Our Seawall apartments

Chasecrown EI8HT apartments, South Esplanade, Glenelg. Supplied by Chasecrown

In July 2021, the State Commission Assessment Pane (SCAP) rejected Chasecrown’s application to build a 13-storey building in a five-storey zone.

Seven buildings would have to be demolished, including the heritage listed Seawall Apartment building.

It said the development did not meet Holdfast Bay’s development plan and did not take into account the heritage value of the old buildings, including the existing Seawall Apartment block.

In February, the Environment Resources and Development Court allowed neighbours of the proposed 13-storey block at 21-25 South Esplanade to join a court appeal in the “interests of justice”.

In September last year, it was revealed that Chasecrown reached a secret compromise deal with the State Commission Assessment Panel for a smaller 10-storey building, featuring 72 apartments instead of an initial 93, in a bid to get the project over the line.

The court proceedings continue.

Demolition has started to make way for a $165m apartment complex. Source: Supplied

A spokesman for Chasecrown said the buildings were subject to vandalism and illegal access, which contributed to the decision to begin demolition.

It said the local heritage-listed building onsite would be protected and retained as part of the works.

Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson was contacted for comment.