Manly Village face-lift awaits council approval
The building of a five-storey apartment complex on the corner of Manly Village is a step closer as developers have now lodged a consent application.
The long-standing buildings at 60-62 Rawhiti Road will be demolished to make way for eight new shops, 24 two-bedroom and two penthouse apartments as well as 42 car park spaces.
The proposal was initially made in 2008 but did not go ahead after strong community opposition. The building size, its effect on traffic and a clash with Manly Village’s colonial-style were among the many concerns held by residents.
Manly Ridge Apartments Ltd since revived the project in 2015 with a new look, hoping to address these concerns.
Director Mark Pepers says after a number of setbacks, the building consent application was finally lodged on March 10. Once given the green light, it is estimated that the project will be completed within about 10 months.
Locals still have mixed opinions about the project, but businesses have accepted their fate. Many have closed or relocated. Shop owners had been given notice under the demolition clause in their leases in 2016.