The 50-year-old eyesore on the Great Eastern Highway has been the subject of community concern in recent years after the abandoned hotel became a squat and attracted anti-social behaviour.
The five-member Metro Central Development Assessment Panel (MCDAP) approved the redevelopment in December, including the retention of the 45-year-old turret the owner plans to develop into a single residence.
As the redevelopment was valued at more than $7 million, approval could only be granted by the five-member MCDAP, negating the views of the Town, whose officers recommended it not be approved on planning grounds.
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READ NOWVictoria Park chief executive Arthur Kyron said the redevelopment, despite opposition from the Town’s two councillors on the panel ” Keith Hayes and Vicki Potter ” would be a great asset.
‘Despite the non-compliance with the Town Planning Scheme, the approval of the development will see the tidying up of an almost derelict site where there have been numerous recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour over the past few years,’ Mr Kyron said.
Handle Property Group project manager Gary Lee said 90 apartments in the development were under offer and there was strong interest in the remaining apartments.
In early November, just 19 of the apartments were under offer, an indication of their popularity.
‘The demolition permits have been issued by the Town of Victoria Park and we are requesting services to be decommissioned through the proper regulatory bodies,’ Mr Lee said.