7 September 2023
By Grahame Lynch
Coles has finally released its development plan for the Grosvenor St site in Neutral Bay where Woolworths currently operates.
The much anticipated development application would see the current Woolworths building demolished and replaced with a seven storey residential tower, a new supermarket and a three floor underground carpark which would stretch under the existing Grosvenor Lane ground carpark. This in turn would, controversially, be turned into a plaza, at Coles’ expense – an outcome which other small business owners in the area fear will kill their trade.
Under the plan, Coles would develop its supermarket and car park first, opening in December 2026. The plaza would be completed by August 2027 and residential units would be fitted out and released by June 2028. Construction would begin as early as November next year.
The plan calls for a 7 storey mixed use shop top housing development consisting of 3,429 sqm of retail located on the ground floor, with six storeys of residential apartments above, a community centre located on the first floor and four basement levels to facilitate a loading dock, public and residential car parking. It also proposes an apartment mix of 72 dwellings consisting of 11 x 1 bedroom units, 27 x 2 bedroom units, 30 x 3 bedroom units, and 4 x 4 Bedroom units.
There would be 267 car spaces available in the basement carpark, and just 18 remaining above ground in the proposed Grosvenor Lane plaza area. The new building would be slightly higher than adjoining properties either side which max out at five storeys.
The Coles supermarket would co-located with Vintage Cellars, while there will also be two spaces allocated at street level for separate retail premises.
Coles controversially obtained “owner’s consent” over the Council owned carpark at Grosvenor Lane to file development plans. A request from rival developer, Arkadia, for owners consent over the carpark to also develop a plaza has yet to be decided upon. Council officers recommended against it and councillors voted to receive a briefing from Arkadia, which the Sun understands occurred last Monday.
