Strand buzzing with restaurant and ‘high amenity’ apartment plan

A two-level restaurant and bar and “high amenity” apartment project is set to enlive an area of Townsville already buzzing with new and planned developments. SEE THE DESIGNS

A two-level restaurant and bar and “high amenity” apartment project is set to enliven an area of the Strand already buzzing with new and planned developments.

Brisbane-based Warburton Investments has applied to Townsville City Council for approval to build the Strand Beach Club, a proposed medium rise development on vacant land between the new Anelay and the well established Watermark restaurants and apartments.

Just two doors down, at 68 and 69 The Strand, another developer, S & S Group, recently also applied for approval for an 80-room boutique hotel, restaurant and function facility.

Warburton Investments is the same proponent which secured approval last year for another apartment project at 99 The Strand, albeit without the support of Mayor Jenny Hill who said that proposal went against the original look and feel the precinct was defined to have.

The restaurant and unit project planned for 71 The Strand. Photo: Warburton Investments

Warburton Investments spokesman Luke Filei said Townsville’s economy looked set for some good years ahead driven by strong tailwinds in the global energy and critical minerals markets.

The development planned for 71 The Strand. Photo: Warburton Investments

“The timing in 2023 for projects like 71 The Strand may be good with demand from end users remaining solid, notwithstanding the recent interest rate rises. We need to see issues with the cost of construction materials, labour supply and supply chain being resolved,” Mr Filei said.

The restaurant and unit project planned for 71 The Strand. Photo: Warburton Investments

Warburton Investments is proposing 18 two, three and four-bedroom apartments and food and drink outlets on the ground floor and part of the first level.

An image of the restaurant and unit project planned for 71 The Strand. Photo: Warburton Investments

In an application, lodged by consultant BNC Planning, it says the project is intended to enhance the Strand precinct as Townsville’s and the region’s pre-eminent residential and tourist destination.

The building is to have front and rear components, tiered from three and four storeys at the front to nine storeys behind.

While the application notes the development exceeds a five-storey benchmark nominated for the Strand precinct under the medium density residential zone code, it says the project is consistent with the purpose of the code and with surrounding buildings, including Anelay the planned boutique hotel.

“The modern design elements and strong geometric features direct the attention

of the development towards the Strand frontage which is anchored by the commercial tenancy and an engaging front facade,” the application says.

Mr Filei said, hopefully, market conditions could return to resemble something like pre-Covid times.

“For 99 The Strand project, it has not been possible since Covid to derisk the fluctuation in the cost of construction materials. Steel prices are now down considerably in the last couple of months. However, labour shortages persist,” he said.

Originally published as Strand buzzing with restaurant and ‘high amenity’ apartment plan