"The DAP found it was a high amenity project and a benefit to the Town," Australian Development Capital (ADC) director and developer Rod Hamersley said after the approval on Thursday.
ADC will demolish 1950s-era flats and build on three blocks between 15 and 17 Overton Gardens, west of the Cottesloe Civic Centre.
Cottesloe councillors asked the DAP to refuse the project earlier this year and wanted several restrictions to keep views, wider vehicle entrances and a lower plot ratio.
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READ NOW"The council was proposing fairly serious setbacks on our blocks," Mr Hamersley said.
The DAP struck out five of the council's objections, including stopping parts of the apartments breaching a 7m height limit putting the roof in sight of those standing at the western edge of the Civic Centre's rear lawns .
Cottesloe acting chief executive Mat Humfrey said views would still be uninterrupted from a higher lawn closer to the Civic Centre and the DAP's decision could not be appealed.
The full cost, including ADC's $50,000 contribution, to restore a heritage retaining wall between the apartments and the Civic Centre was to be determined.
"There was some disappointment the historic significance of the wall to the Civic Centre was not considered by the DAP as much as it could," Mr Humfrey said.
It is planned to demolish the old flats in July and complete the new apartments by early 2017.