SNEAK PEEK AT NEW PLANS FOR STRAND
A FIVE- LEVEL unit and restaurant project has been proposed for The Strand.
Developers have given a sneak peek of what is planned by releasing this artist’s impression of the proposal, called South Beach, which they hope will be approved by Townsville City Council in coming weeks.
A Brisbane- based director of Cardiff Law, Peter Cardiff – a former planning director of the council – lodged a development application on behalf of Sydney investors in January.
It is understood the investors have contracted to buy the site, a 6000sq m parcel of vacant land next to the Seaview Hotel, considered to be one of the best development sites in the city.
Mr Cardiff said the investors were keen to get feedback from potential unit buyers and to begin construction.
“They are thinking that Townsville has been quiet for a while but that this is a good time to start looking at a project, particularly one like this on The Strand,” Mr Cardiff said.
“We have been conversing with hospitality- type operators who would be able to take up commercial premises in the project and it’s been a reasonably positive response.”
Mr Cardiff said the project comprised 41 apartments, mostly twobedroom units.
“The units are designed not to be opulent – most are two- bedroom,” Mr Cardiff said. “They should be priced from around $ 450,000 and go up from there.”
Commercial premises would be developed at ground level fronting The Strand.
Mr Cardiff said a basement carpark could be developed one level below ground on Mitchell St.
“On the Mitchell St side, there will be some more commercial uses, feeding into an arcade which links through to The Strand,” Mr Cardiff said.
Commercial uses could include food and drink outlets, cafes and restaurants. Mr Cardiff said a pedestrian crossing could link to the shopping centre on Mitchell St.
The site has languished undeveloped for more than a decade since the Tony Mooney- led council was understood to have told former Cairns developer Tom Hedley to withdraw a 10- storey proposal because it was too high and attracting too many objections.
Mr Cardiff said they had changed their design to accommodate council requirements.
“We are hoping they make a decision soon,” Mr Cardiff said.