Owner reveals plans for heritage home in Dandenong
The owner of a prominent house near Dandenong Plaza has revealed his plans for the property after residents feared it would be demolished and developed.
South East
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The owner of a prominent Dandenong property has revealed his plans for the heritage home after residents feared it would be demolished and developed into townhouses.
Dr Sanjay Raghav, who has worked in Dandenong since 2006, bought the 164 Foster Rd home for $1.47m in July last year.
He told Leader he plans to restore the house and take it back to its glory.
“I have no intention to demolish...the building is not going anywhere ” he said.
“A lot of builders have told me my idea is completely stupid because demolishing and building would be cheaper compared to restoring the place.”
Residents feared a developer was going to build a monster complex after the empty block next door at 57-59 McCrae St sold for $2.86 million in September 2020.
It’s believed townhouses will be built on the empty block after it was advertised as a permit approved townhouse site.
Residents took to social media on Thursday to express their disgust for a potential development at 164 Foster Rd.
“What a disgrace,” Heather Paszkowski said.
“In beautiful condition, to be replaced with more eyesores.”
But Mr Raghav said townhouses won’t be built as he plans to turn the heritage home into a “healing place”, medical centre or food relief kitchen.
“I want to give back to the community,” he said.
“I want to make something good for the locals.”
Mr Raghav said a wire fence was installed around the property this week to protect it from thieves after multiple break-ins occurred in the past few months.
It’s unclear when the Edwardian style house was built but it’s reported to be dated back to the 1890s and features high ceilings and ornate plasterwork
Greater Dandenong director of city planning, design and amenity Jody Bosman said the council’s planning department weren’t aware of any proposals to develop the site.
The property doesn’t have statutory heritage protection in Victoria.
