Mosman: spike in high rise developments set to reshape town

Loved for its village vibe, the lower north shore shopping strip is set to see a string of high rise developments reshape the landscape. See the list of what’s planned:

Mosman is on the cusp of a construction boom with a string of major developments set to transform the town centre.

New unit buildings, retail complexes and a supermarket are among the latest developments planned at prominent sites including a former B-line construction site and an Australia Post outlet on Spit Rd.

Developers behind some of the projects say there is a need for urban renewal in the suburb with some of the developments also designed to create much needed housing.

Many of the projects, however, have been met with opposition from residents who fear the increased density would drastically change the town centre’s village atmosphere and vibe.

We take a look at some of the newest development plans in the works for the suburb:

AUSTRALIA POST SITE

A concept plan of the development.

Once a hub for collecting letters and parcels, the former Australia Post office building in Mosman is set to be turned into a new unit and retail development.

Developer Sun Property Northbridge has released plans to turn 64-66 Spit Rd into a five storey building as part of a $28.2 million project lodged to Mosman Council this month.

Plans for the project show the development would include ground level shops, 34 units and basement carparking with 80 spaces.

The 16.4m height of the building would breach the site’s 15m height limit by 9.2 per cent.

The developer said the “height and bulk of the proposed development” was “consistent with the desired future character of the Spit Junction business centre”.

Features of the project include communal open space on the fourth floor with breakout areas, dining, barbecue facilities and outdoor seating for residents.

“The proposal will provide a notable increase to the supply and diversity of housing choice (in Mosman) and future occupants and visitors to the site will actively increase the viability and vitality of the area,” the plans stated.

The site is currently occupied by businesses including Seir Beauty School and RoseMont Dry Cleaning.

B-LINE SITE

A concept plan of the project.

High-rise plans are in the works for a B-Line construction site in Mosman after months of speculation over the future of the prominent town centre block.

Development plans have been lodged to turn 7-11 Spit Rd into a $22 million commercial and residential complex following four years of transport and construction works at the site.

Plans to Mosman Council show the project would stand five storeys tall and include 32 units and a ground level retail premises.

There would also be landscaping works, vertical gardens and three levels of basement carparking with 98 spaces.

The development would be located at the former b-line site.

The plans come after the site was acquired by the Department of Transport in 2017 to support construction and operational activities on the B-line bus route before the site was sold earlier this year.

The developer behind the project, Mosman Finance No. 23 Pty Ltd, said the project would “enhance the viability and vitality of the local centre”.

A total of 64 submissions have already been lodged to the council with the bulk opposed due to concern over the bulk and scale of the building and fears “the local road network would not be able to accommodate traffic”.

Neighbour Beryl Muir said the proposed building would “completely block the harbour view” from her apartment building.

“Such a towering complex will dominate the Mosman landscape and look completely out of place,” she said.

The proposal remains under assessment by the council.

NEW UNITS PLAN

Plans have been lodged to Mosman Council.

Two of the few remaining low-rise homes on Spit Rd would be turned into a four storey unit complex under plans lodged to Mosman Council this month.

The $4.9 million development project by Moorgate Property would have six units, basement carparking with 14 spaces, landscaping works and communal open areas.

Plans for the 187-189 Spit Rd property stated the development would contribute to local housing targets.

Early feedback from the council has raised concerns over the 12.7m height of the building which exceeds the 8.5m limit by 4.2m.

Moorgate Property says the site has a significant cliff face drop “which makes a built form outcome that is consistent with the prevailing two storey streetscape difficult to achieve.”

The proposal remains under assessment.

MOSMAN WOOLWORTHS

Construction work on one of Mosman’s most contentious development’s will soon begin after a long-running court battle between the council and supermarket giant Woolworths.

Fabcot – the development arm of Woolworths – is pushing ahead with the redevelopment of a strip of shops at 731-741 Military Rd with plans to turn it into a new Metro supermarket, cafe and a sushi bar.

The retail giant won its Land and Environment Court appeal to build the development last year after the project attracted more than 700 submissions during consultation.

Many residents argued the grocery giant would severely impact traffic congestion and destroy the village vibe.

Once built, the store will have approximately 500 sqm of retail space – about one seventh of the size of a standard full-line supermarket.

AGED CARE REDEVELOPMENT

A former residential care facility is set to be transformed into an multi-store apartment complex under a $11 million development plan in the Mosman Junction town centre.

Developer group Mosman Grove Partnership has released a proposal to convert the former Aveo living complex next to Bridgepoint Shopping Centre into a 14 unit development with 25 basement car park spaces on the corner of Ourimbah and Brady Rds.

The project would include new rooftop terraces, communal open space and two extra levels of basement carparking.

Plans stated the development would revitalise the streetscape and create much-needed housing on the lower north shore.

Submissions from neighbours have raised concerns over potential impacts on noise along with privacy from sections of the complex including the rooftop gardens.

St Luke’s Anglican Church – located to the east of the site – has also weighed in on the plans, calling for privacy screens to be built on balconies.

The proposal remains under assessment by Mosman Council.