Manly Boardrider Backpacker hostel to be turned into units

One of Sydney’s most popular choices for backpacker accommodation is set to close — making way for new apartments in the heart of Manly.

An artist’s impression of what the block will look like from The Corso.

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One of Sydney’s best loved backpackers is to close — making way for 17 apartments in the heart of Manly.

Boardrider Backpacker has been a haven for travellers from around the world for nearly 20 years in its prime position at 63 to 67 The Corso.

However, visitors looking for a cheap room close to the beach are soon going to have to go elsewhere with the owners putting in a development application to convert it into units.

The $3.1 million plan, which was submitted to Northern Beaches Council last week, proposes a change of use of the building with the inclusion of an additional level.

The application states the ground floor shop, currently Billabong, will remain.

The block will look much the same from the outside.

However, the backpackers will be gutted to make room for three studios, 12 one-bedroom and two three-bedroom units.

Many of the units have access to existing Juliette balconies, some of which have views over the beach.

There will also be an extra floor built on top of the existing backpackers as well as a private roof terrace.

Belrose’s Boston Blyth Fleming Town Planners, who submitted the application on behalf of Ivergowrie Properties, said the design was sympathetic to the building’s heritage and prominent position just metres from the beach.

Boardrider Backpacker at present.

… and how it will look.

“The project architect has responded to the client brief to design a contextually responsive building which takes advantage of the sites superior locational attributes whilst respecting the heritage significance of the existing building and the Town Centre Conservation Area generally,” Boston Blyth’s Greg Boston said.

The building dates back to 1927 and from 1935 was a Woolworths store.

In 1999 it was transformed into a backpackers and has hosted thousands of travellers from around the world since.

Boardriders Backpacker owner Peter Skerrett did not respond for request for comment.

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