Megara reveals $73m Sorrento plan
By Nadia Budihardjo
Developer Megara's $73.7 million vision to revitalise the Sorrento Plaza precinct is being advertised for community feedback.
The Leederville-based property developer lodged its proposal to build a development comprising 75 apartments, a cafe, restaurant and liquor store via the state government’s expedited Significant Development Assessment Unit pathway in December.
The 5,780 square metre development area is bounded by West Coast Drive, Padbury Circle and Drakes Walk.
WCD has been listed as the landowner, with an ASIC document listing the company's directors as Jamie Clarke, Matthew Pickford and Chad Scott. All three are founding directors of Megara.
The site is currently home to businesses including Madam Queenie Asian Bar and Kitchen, Voyage Kitchen, West Coast Yoga, White Salt Bar Cafe Restaurant, Il Pirata and BWS Sorrento.
A public piazza is also proposed to link the north facing plaza with Geneff Park.
The application, prepared by Planning Solutions with designs by MJA Studio, is out for public consultation for a 42-day period from today.
Megara development manager Trent Durward said formal community consultation was an important step forward.
“Sorrento Plaza is a landmark site, and we want local residents and the surrounding community to be confident that it will deliver a quality architectural statement; new local accommodation options; as well as rejuvenate the centre with lifestyle amenities and commercial activity that will integrate with the beachfront area,” he said.
“The unique design responds to the coastal contours of the site, creating less impact on neighbours; enhancing sustainability; and providing more parking, green space and social areas for the community to enjoy and accommodation options for local residents.”
Megara is proposing to active the street frontage and ground level with existing and new retail and hospitality options with a 1,374 square metre of commercial floor space, according to the development application.
"The development will revitalise an otherwise neglected precinct, which has been blighted by inaction and planning uncertainty for more than 15 years," the application said.
"The development will be highly accessible to the community due to its prominent location within the coastal corridor.
"The development will assist in creating greater employment self-sufficiency, as three commercial tenancies are proposed, providing additional employment opportunities for the local community."
A draft Sorrento Precinct Structure Plan was submitted to the SDAU in February and is also out for public consultation, which closes on August 26.
Megara is proposing to redevelop the Sorrento Plaza precinct with a mixed-use development. Image: Megara