26-32 Hall Street Bondi Beach: proposed redevelopment for old Westpac site
A developer is eyeing off the old Westpac building at Bondi Beach – right next door to the construction zone at the controversial post office site. What do you think?
Wentworth Courier
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A four-storey shop-top housing block has been proposed next door to the bitterly contested post office redevelopment on Bondi Beach’s Hall St.
The community, lead by The Castle star Michael Caton, rallied against the redevelopment of the heritage listed post office for years but ultimately lost the fight in the Land and Environment Court and the site is currently under construction.
Now new $9.4 million plans have been lodged with Waverley Council to demolish the two buildings right next door, one of which is the old Westpac that sold for $17 million in April.
They would be replaced with two levels of basement parking, ground floor retail, 15 boutique apartments and an activated rooftop area.
It is expected the luxurious apartments, comprised of six one bedders, six two bedroom units and a trio of three bedroom apartments will be highly sought after.
Unlike the post office, neither of the buildings subject to the new development application are heritage listed.
However the proposal, designed by BANG Architecture, does exceed the 13m height control by 4.46m.
A report authored by LK Planning director Lee Kosnetter and lodged with council describes the stylish proposal.
“The replacement of these building with a contemporary infill development that responds to its curtilage to the heritage listed former Post Office allows for a variety of housing type above a generous retail tenancy that activates the street,” the report reads.
The developer argues the height non compliance is warranted as it is “primarily caused by the amenities and equipment proposed on the roof slab, inclusive of the lift overrun”.
Comment has been sought from the developers but no response had been received at the time of publication.
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