A hotel, retail precinct and more than 300 dwellings could be on the cards for a 16-hectare waterfront site situated on the state’s south coast.
A hotel, retail precinct and more than 300 dwellings could be on the cards for a 16-hectare waterfront site situated on the state’s south coast.
An ambitious proposal for rezoning the historic Albany Woolstores site facing Princess Royal Harbour has recently been put out for public consultation by the City of Albany.
The prime piece of south coast real estate is majority owned by private landowner Mark Dyson, through his development company Mainbeam, who submitted the plan to the local government.
Rowe Group Design prepared the Albany Woolstores precinct structure plan on behalf of the developer outlining a two-pronged vision and zoning plan for the potential redevelopment of the unused land.
But this is not the first time development plans for the Woolstores site have been tabled, with the site having been included in the local government's planning strategy since at least 2018.
The recently published Woolstores plan suggests carving the land into two precincts, one titled the ‘woolstores precinct’ to potentially include a resort, hotel or short stay accommodation and other tourism-based land uses such as food and beverage attractions.
Another area titled ‘commercial/retail precinct’ would allow for low to medium density residential or aged care developments, a supermarket and other opportunities.
The plan suggests including about 1,100 square meters of retail floor space and catering for about 215 to 330 dwellings to house up to 858 people.
On the harbour-facing land, the proposed zoning allows for structures up to eight storeys tall.
The developer suggests that land could be used for a hotel-style or serviced apartment development with more than 150 rooms, alongside another family-friendly low-rise accommodation option with about 80 rooms.
“In accordance with the City’s strategic planning intent, the structure plan area encourages zonings to facilitate resort, hotel and/or short stay style accommodation land uses, tourism-based land uses and food and beverage attractions on the doorstep of Princess Royal Harbour along with medium to higher density residential land uses,” the report said.
The proposal has also outlined constraints around noise levels, mainly due to the construction of the Albany Ring Road and the rail line behind the Woolstore site.
If the Woolstores development plan gets legs, it would join the flurry of recent hotel and venue development proposals being pursued in Albany.
Namely, Seashells Hospitality Group is progressing its $30 million luxury hotel plan for Middleton Beach and the Hilton Garden Inn is planning its expansion on the Albany Waterfront Marina.
The grand opening of the Hilton Garden Inn in 2021 marked Albany’s first hotel since the Esplanade Hotel on Middelton Beach was demolished in 2007.
A plan for a new tavern and restaurant overlooking the marina, situated on unused land between the Hilton Garden Inn and Albany Boatshed, has also been put to the community for consultation.
Local seafood supplier Great Southern Seafoods is the family-run business behind the proposed development, aiming to build a seafood restaurant on the 1734 sqm site.
Business News understands that demolition of the Woolstores structure and concrete floor began in late 2021.
According to the Woolstores plan, the development would provide for a “unique destination focused hub” that would enhance the region’s historic roots with the wool industry.
“This will be achieved by a strong industrial aesthetic through public space and building design while also supporting environmental integrity through celebrating the biodiversity of the area,” the plan said.
“The long-term vision for the structure plan area will support the delivery of a precinct with a distinct sense of place that acts as a destination as well as an entry-statement to the western end of Albany.
“This will be achieved through encouraging the provision of resort, hotel and/or short stay style accommodation and attractions focussed on Princess Royal Harbour, supported by low, medium and high-density urban neighbourhood inclusive of food and beverage, residential (including aged care) and commercial based development.”
