First look: New Manly apartments approved on Sydney Road
Manly's Sydney Road is set for a new apartment development.
An old commercial building, which the planning documents said is "suffering from numerous defects associated with its exposure to the maritime environment," will be replaced by a modern four-level building with 10 apartments.
The $4.6 million project at 17-19 Sydney Road is located just off Manly's famous The Corso, which connects the Manly Wharf to Manly Beach. Sydney Road leads just off The Corso from the beach, down to Manly Oval.
Architecture firm MHNDUnion said in their design submission to the Northern Beaches Council the subject site is located in an established urban area that is undergoing incremental renovation and redevelopment.
"The proposal is to replace the existing structure with a new structure that echo's to a large degree what it is replacing. The key difference is the upper levels are proposed to be residential rather than the current commercial use."
They said the change is a reflection of the changing nature of the area from a shopping/commercial hub to an area that is characterized by its vibrant 24 hours economy set alongside the ocean and harbourside beaches that anchor and define the area in general.
There will be nine one-bedroom apartments, which will start from 50 sqm, and a single 92 sqm two-bedder which will have a large 46 sqm balcony. They will sit above a 150 sqm commercial space on the ground level and two smaller commercial spaces on level one.
MHNDU said the Market Place facade actively engages with the public square that has been created over the years in the area.
