Whale Beach: Leslie Cassar’s $13m proposal for five-storey shop top development
Plans lodged with Northern Beaches Council by former chairman of Tourism NSW, Leslie Cassar, reveal a proposed $13m neighbourhood centre at Whale Beach.
Manly
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The former chairman of Tourism NSW is pushing a $13-million plan to build a five-storey neighbourhood centre coming in Whale Beach.
Plans to “revitalise” the site, owned by Leslie Cassar, includes the demolition of the existing residential and retail precinct and construction of a new shop top housing development with five residential apartments, three retail premises, basement carparking and landscaping works.
There are two, three and four-bedroom apartments proposed which would enjoy beach front views, with dual frontage on Whale Beach Road and Surf Road.
The development application also seeks a two-level carpark with 21 parking spaces and strata subdivision of the development into eight lots.
Documents on Northern Beaches Council website detail Mr Cassar’s vision to provide “high quality retail facilities to service the community and activate the Whale Beach locale” with a “high-quality contemporary design”.
Back in 2016 Mr Cassar and his wife Diana listed their luxurious Mosman estate for $28m, with their son Anthony Cassar managing their latest project.
“The property is currently owned by my father, he’s owned it for close to 20 years now and they live there,” Anthony Cassar explained.
“The cafe and retail is currently the neighbourhood centre. We’re redeveloping a building which is somewhat overdue for an upgrade. The site has five residential apartments and four shops so we’re in keeping with the development controls and replacing it with a new design.”
While the development application was lodged in May, he said pre-development application discussions had been going on for close to a year.
“We’ve had extensive consultation with neighbours, council and Palm Beach and Whale Beach Association. We’re very excited about the development, not just as a home but as a public space.
“The design has an airway, which means it’s split through the middle to reduce the bulk and scale of the building. It will be a high-end, high quality design with beach style”.
Andrew Goldsmith, manager of The Boathouse Group manages a cafe on the property.
He said they had been a tenant for “close to four years” and were happy to be part of the proposed development.
“We really like what they’re proposing. It’s a great spot but it’s an old building that’s quite run down.
“It looks over Whale Beach and it’s a nice community hub. Essentially, there’s no other cafes around.
“We’re excited to be a tenant when the building gets rebuilt.”
Richard West, president of Palm Beach and Whale Beach Association said they did not have any objection to the proposal.
“We’ve assessed the situation and understand the present building needs to be replaced. We think it will be a big improvement and we’re in favour of it,” Mr West said.
Meanwhile, one submission on the council’s website refers to the proposed development as “excessive” in bulk and scale and “out of character with the local area”.
The letter by Design Collaborative was submitted on behalf of Robyn Jarvisa, a resident in a neighbouring property.
“Our client strongly objects to the proposal as it shows and relies on screen landscaping on
her property along its southern boundary. Our client’s consent has not been sought and
will not be granted,” the letter states.
It also notes concerns about “overlooking, loss of visual and acoustic privacy and adverse
visual impact”.
“Our assessment has concluded that the proposal in its current form would have an
unreasonable and significant adverse impact on our client and the locality and, on that
basis, the application should be refused.”
Anthony Cassar said they “expected feedback from the community”.
“People are entitled to their view, I haven’t seen the submission yet but I don’t think it will impact their property.”