Jesse’s Cafe Bakery at Rose Bay faces demolition threat for multistorey Rose Bay units

One of the long-running and only kosher bakeries in its community is facing demolition to make way for a multistorey unit complex amid an ongoing government push to increase Sydney’s housing density.

Popular eatery Jesse’s Cafe Bakery and surrounding homes could be demolished to make way for a multi-level apartment building as part of the latest development earmarked for Rose Bay.

Development plans have been lodged with Waverley Council to turn buildings on the corner of The Ave and Old South Head Rd into a five-level apartment complex overlooking The Royal Sydney Golf Club.

The development would have 50 units – of which 15 per cent would be offered to renters at affordable rates for 15 years.

The proposal – by Coogee Bay Holdings Pty Ltd & Parseh Pty Ltd – would involve the demolition of five buildings at the site including units, the bakery, martial arts studio and Vantage Jiu Jitsu.

The new development would have ground level commercial areas – including space for a new cafe/bakery – and two levels of basement carparking spaces.

The popular Jesse’s Cafe Bakery.

Developer Hamid Samavi said he was in discussions with Jesse’s Cafe Bakery for the much-loved eatery to return to the site once the development was completed.

“We’re also trying to see if we can run the cafe in a temporary space during development because we know it’s such an important asset on the site,” he said.

“My understanding is that it’s the only kosher bakery in this part of Sydney and it’s very valuable to us.”

Mr Samavi said an organic restaurant and a wellness centre are also planned as part of the new development which he said would cater for demographics in the area.

A concept image of the development.

The proposal comes after the NSW government last month announced new housing targets for all Sydney councils which include 2400 new homes in the Waverley Council area over the next five years,

Under the new targets, councils in the city’s east will account for 41 per cent of all new planned dwellings in Sydney.

Plans lodged with the council stated the development would help address the overall demand for housing in the city’s densely populated east.

An architectural plan of the proposed development where Jesse’s Cafe Bakery operates.

“The development will deliver greater utilisation of the current under-utilised land on this combined site, helping to increase housing supply by delivering a net gain of approximately 44 dwellings on the site,” the plans stated.

“The development will ensure key community members such as essential services workers will be able to live in the area with the inclusion of affordable housing.”

Other features of the proposal include a communal rooftop terrace, bicycle parking spaces and new landscaping works.

The building would stand 17.6m tall – 1.35m taller than the existing 16.25m limit.

The proposal remains under assessment by the council.