An old two-storey apartment block on Wollongong's richest residential street will be transformed into a six-level duplex, if plans lodged by one of the city's prominent property development families are approved.
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For almost a decade the Kollaras family has been trying to redevelop the harbourside block at 82A Cliff Road, which - according to the NSW government - is worth $4,910,000 for the land alone.
In their latest bid, the company owned by the family has abandoned earlier plans to build multiple apartments and instead hopes to divide a four-storey building - which will also have two basement levels - into two luxury homes.
The existing building known as the Belmore apartments will be bulldozed to make way for the new complex.
Lodged on behalf of Michael and Nadine Kollaras, the proposal includes plans for a top-storey plunge pool, cellar and banquet area.
Development application documents on Wollongong City Council's website show each apartment would have four bedrooms, and other extravagant features include butlers' pantries, his and hers walk-in wardrobes, and boat parking in the basements, as well as space for six cars.
The Kollaras family, which runs one of Australia's largest independent liquor importing businesses at Albion Park, has been trying to redevelop the block since 2012.
Initially, they hoped the complex would rise five storeys above ground and house three apartments, but this was scaled back the following year due to concerns about the building's bulk and scale.
Last year, they again launched a redevelopment bid, asking for permission to build a duplex which had architectural features inspired by Flagstaff Hill lighthouse and the nearby sandstone Old Courthouse.
However, this was once again criticised by the council's design panel as having as "having excessive bulk and scale".
Now, in a development application modification on exhibition through Wollongong City Council until September 18, consultants say the newest design will address the site's surrounds and any previous concerns raised by the council.
"The initial approach to the design referenced the arch as a motif that had precedents in local historic buildings and seaside architecture," project consultant Mark Jones said.
"The strong, dramatic form was rejected by the Design Review Panel, seen as having excessive 'bulk and scale' for the context, particularly in the current state of the precinct's evolving character."
"Subsequent contextual analysis verified that the desired future character of the area supported a four-storey building that stepped back from the street minimising the visual impact and providing a subtle transition to Osborne Park."
In recent years, there have been several campaigns from residents and heritage campaigners in the harbour precinct to stop further development, and, in its ongoing review of city centre development rules, the council has flagged a possible lowering of height limits in some areas.
Kollaras Group managing director John Kollaras said he believed his family's final development application submission would "fit within the context of the precinct".
Asked if his family planned to reside in the building, or sell the duplexes he said the "products have not yet been released for sale but we are exploring various options".
"Once approved, we will market the available properties," he said.
He noted the development was two metres under the maximum height limit for the site and said it only used 75 per cent of the maximum developable space.
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