Royal Far West scoops Glenn Murcutt to design ‘iconic’ Manly Beach headquarters
Royal Far West has secured a leading architect to design the charity’s new multimillion-dollar beachfront headquarters, with the project poised to support local jobs and existing businesses, as well as improve ‘the Manly visitation experience’.
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Royal Far West has promised to give Manly an iconic landmark building after commissioning a world famous architect to design its new beachfront headquarters.
Glenn Murcutt, who grew up in Clontarf and is known for responding to the “landscape and climate” in his work, has been commissioned to design a new health and wellbeing campus.
The prime site opposite Manly Beach will include residential units and other facilities including a childcare centre.
Previously, Royal Far West withdrew plans to build a hotel as part of its neighbouring Wentworth St site after a backlash from the community.
It follows the opening of Royal Far West’s first phase of its redevelopment with its $36m new six-storey building on Wentworth St last year.
That site houses 150 staff including speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses and dentists.
Business director Jacqui Emery said the oceanfront build could rejuvenate South Steyne.
“We recognise the responsibility that we deliver something absolutely beautiful, functional but something that is really going to be a gift to Manly, the state and the nation,” she said.
“Glenn chooses his projects carefully.
“He doesn’t do many, he’s 82. He knows the area, the surf club is his surf club and he understands the importance and significance of the project. He knows about the light and the winds.
“We want to improve the aesthetics of the southern end of the beach. Our buildings were built as a polio hospital and it is that brutalist architecture.
“This is an opportunity to build something beautiful and iconic.”
She said the 15,000sqm site would include “commercial elements” to provide an income stream in perpetuity.
But it would also allow them to be able to increase the number of young people and families they help from 10,000 to 15,000.
The increase in workforce is also expected to bring more money into Manly.
Ms Emery said they would work within the masterplan and expected to put in a DA within two years and to be cutting the ribbon in five years.
She said in terms of the height of the build they would be working within what was approved previously.
“We have a very clear envelope of approval from the process we went through a few years ago and we will be building according to the envelope,” she said.
Mr Murcutt will work closely with architect and designer, Angelo Candalepas of Candalepas Associates on the design.
Lindsay Cane, CEO at Royal Far West said they chose the talented duo because they knew they would do the iconic site justice.
“Our vision is to deliver a beautifully integrated health and wellbeing “campus” that is inclusive, open and innovative,” she said.
Mr Murcutt said the commission was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give back to Manly by supporting local jobs and existing businesses and improving the Manly visitation experience”.
“By rejuvenating the southern portion of this site, we intend to unlock its great potential,” he said.
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