Coogee Bay Hotel redevelopment: Residents fear impacts on history, beauty

The revamped design of the Coogee Bay Hotel has not gone far enough according to some, with fears the plans could threaten the seaside suburb’s beauty and encourage more high-rise projects

Concept art of the proposed development of the Coogee Bay Hotel. Picture: Fender Katsalidis

The revamped $111m design of the Coogee Bay Hotel redevelopment has not gone far enough according to some, with fears the plans could threaten the seaside suburb’s beauty, history and encourage more high-rise developments.

The new-look proposal, featuring 58 apartments, a three-storey hotel wing and an ‘eat street’, was recently placed on public exhibition with Randwick Council.

The original six-storey plans which included 60 apartments, commercial premises, a supermarket, a 29-room hotel, three levels of basement parking and an “eat street” laneway was met with significant community opposition when lodged in 2021.

A petition opposing the development garnered more than 8000 signatures, with residents concerned it would block their ocean views. Coogee Labor MP Marjorie O’Neill has been an outspoken critic, slamming the “atrocious” original plans for its sheer size and threat to the village feel.

Coogee Beach Hotel owner Christopher Cheung. Picture: Troy Snook

The Land and Environment Court granted permission for the amended plans to be filed and despite the changes, Coogee resident Rona Wade said the proposal was still “too high”.

The original design stood at 23.3m, while the amended version was 21.25m.

Coogee resident Rona Wade.

Ms Wade said by breaching the site’s 12m height limit, it would set a precedent for developers around foreshore areas of Randwick LGA.

“This proposed height will loom behind and above the heritage hotel buildings and be very visible from the foreshore,” Ms Wade said.

“At present when looking from the foreshore, the promenade, the beach or the water, all that can be seen are glimpses of the heritage buildings and the Boutique Hotel among the Norfolk Island pines.

“This contributes to the beauty and low-key look and feel of Coogee [which is] much loved by locals and visitors alike.”

Coogee MP Marjorie O’Neill.

Dr O’Neill said the new proposal was still “well beyond” the current height limit on the site.

“[It] will have a direct impact on the history and heritage of Coogee, which is one of Australia’s oldest seaside villages,” she said.

“In order to preserve this history, the height of the development should respect the planning control of Randwick Council and be no more than 12m, in particular along the perimeters of the building of Coogee Bay Road and Arden St.”

Planning documents lodged with the latest design acknowledge the building’s height exceeding planning controls, but state the plans “remain consistent with the objectives of the local zoning”.

The redevelopment would transform Coogee and boost the local economy by giving residents more choice and generating more employment, documents state.