Curlewis Street, Bondi: Luxury apartment development from esport millionaire under appeal

A luxury apartment hub, proposed by a development company run by an esports gaming entrepreneur, has hopes of replacing units, a gym and an art gallery in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Artist impression of 141-155 Curlewis Street, Bondi. Image: Waverley Council.

Plans for a luxury mixed-use retail and apartment complex, set to replace units, gym, an art gallery and yoga studio in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, is set to be ruled on by the Land and Environment Court.

The four blocks at 141-155 Curlewis St, Bondi Beach were acquired in two separate sales by boutique development company Clutch Capital.

The developer lodged plans with Waverley Council in November, valued at $36 million, to build a four-storey building with ground floor retail, 15 three-bedroom luxury apartments with terraces and two levels of basement parking for 53 car spaces on the 2079sq m site.

The application was registered with the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel in early 2023 because its capital investment value is more than $30 million. The panel would’ve made a determination on the plans, considering a recommendation from Waverley Council, however as no determination was made inside 60 days the developer lodged an appeal to the Land and Environment Court.

Clutch Capital – run by esports gaming entrepreneur Jack Wu and his partner Nick Ross – has been on a buying spree in recent months, snapping up a row of five houses opposite the Royal Sydney Golf Club at Rose Bay for boutique apartments in 2022, along with projects in Bellevue Hill and Double Bay.

Architect’s photomontage plans submitted for a proposed development at 141-155 Curlewis Street Bondi. Picture: Clutch Capital Pty Ltd.

Clutch Capital’s senior development manager Nick McCarthy said the luxury shop top project would provide “vibrant” public space with “open arcade type retail” and landscaped gardens and seating open to the public during trading hours.

“We plan to deliver a new destination location while ensuring that it does not detract from the retail precincts of Gould St and Hall St, a true mixed-use precinct that will set a benchmark for the area,” Mr McCarthy said.

However, some residents say the proposal will exacerbate congestion issues and further reduce public space.

“Demolishing these buildings will destroy the charm and character of Bondi,” Ana Sofia Strophe said in a submission to the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel.

“The last thing we need is huge new ugly pedestrian-hostile developments with insufficient parking attracting more cars to the area.”

Peter Owen voiced support for the development but said he hoped the new development would offer more housing.

“Bondi Beach is probably the most famous beach in the world and yet the density here is embarrassingly low compared to international city standards,” Mr Owen said.

Labor candidate for Vaucluse Margaret Merten said a raft of recent applications in low-rise areas amid Bondi’s building boom serviced only a small segment of the population.

“What’s happening at the moment is these apartment blocks are being sold to be bought by a handful of developers, and they’ve been turned into multimillion-dollar luxury apartments,” Ms Merton said.

Ms Merton said these new developments were financially out of reach for essential workers such as teachers, nurses and cleaners struggling with the housing crisis.

Community independent candidate for Vaucluse Karen Freyer said the planning system was failing residents who were unable to have a say on “the type of development that goes on in our community”.

Mr McCarthy said Clutch Capital would consider all community concerns.

“We have reviewed and considered submissions received and continue to work with the council towards an optimal outcome for the community and future occupants of the proposed development,” he said.