THE City of Vincent has approved a mixed-used development on the site of the Highgate Drycleaners in Mt Lawley.
Baltinas will build a 26-apartment complex with offices and ground-floor retail and cafe spaces on the corner lot.
Barry Baltinas said the Challis development, which was aimed at the downsizer market, would help enrich the local community by activating residential town life and the Beaufort Street strip with new bustling retail, cafe and office space and the inclusion of public art.
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READ NOWThe project was named in honour of the couple who owned the site since the 1950s until Baltinas purchased it two years ago.
“Anastasios and Olga Challis were the pioneers of the automated dry-cleaning process in WA and the family still operates Highgate Drycleaners from the site,” Mr Baltinas said.
“The business will relocate during construction but ultimately return to Challis and we’ll be installing a plaque within the building honouring the family and business’ historical significance to Mt Lawley.”
The design for the building will be inspired by the Art Deco style of Mt Lawley’s landmark buildings such as the Astor Theatre, Beaucott Buildings and Alexander Buildings.
It will also include a unique tree-planting system, with trees growing through the upper levels of the building.
Construction is due to start in January 2020 and the project should be completed by July 2021.