Barrio Developments win court fight for higher Glenelg apartment building

A developer has won a huge court battle over the height of his Glenelg apartment building, where homes will sell for up to $3m.

A luxury apartment block at Glenelg is getting an extra storey and three more apartments after the developer triumphed in court against the State Planning Commission.

Barrio Developments was granted planning consent in April to increase the height of its beachside residential block presently under construction, North Shore, from eight levels to nine.

The win has allowed the number of apartments to increase to 40, and the inclusion of communal roof terraces and resident lounges.

Barrio Developments managing director Glen Vollebregt said the legal outcome was “a major step forward for North Shore”.

“It allows us to do more with the site – more homes, more shared spaces, and more opportunity to show how thoughtful density can support great places to live,” he said.

Mr Vollebregt said almost half the apartments had already been sold, with prices ranging from $569,000 to $3m for the penthouse.

Concept image of Barrio Developments’ under-construction 'North Shore' apartment tower at Glenelg, which will now go to nine levels and 40 apartments. Picture: Barrio Developments

The view from the 'North Shore' Glenelg apartment tower. Picture: Barrio Developments

In his judgment on the developer’s appeal against the State Commission Assessment Panel’s decision to deny the planning variation, Commissioner Damian Dawson said the development warranted approval because the extra storey would provide more affordable housing and “positively responds to the local context”.

The judgment delivered in the Environment, Resources and Development Court said the appellant had argued the block “was in a desirable location and superior to other affordable housing products, most of which did not have the advantage of extensive views and quality common spaces”.

Inside the 'North Shore' Glenelg apartment tower. Picture: Barrio Developments

Inside the 'North Shore' Glenelg apartment tower. Picture: Barrio Developments

Inside the 'North Shore' Glenelg apartment tower. Picture: Barrio Developments

Inside the 'North Shore' Glenelg apartment tower. Picture: Barrio Developments

Mr Vollebregt previously told The Advertiser he was proud of blending luxury apartments with affordable housing in his developments.

“Most developers in Glenelg will shy away from it and say ‘yeah, we’re not going to do that’, but we mix luxury with affordable housing, and the price blends out the bill. The project works and it’s great,” he said last year.

Barrio Developments said the design of North Shore, located on Canning St, has also been enhanced with “upgraded sustainability features”, including fully electric services, rooftop solar panels, high-performance double glazing, an embedded renewable energy network and rainwater harvesting for irrigation.

Another of the developer’s Glenelg residential developments, Quayview on Adelphi Terrace, was recently completed.

Originally published as Barrio Developments win court fight for higher Glenelg apartment building