Iris Capital has won a pivotal court battle to construct luxury apartments adjoining the Hotel Steyne in Manly.
Sam Arnaout bought the iconic pub in 2019 for $65 million from hospitality and property veterans Arthur Laundy, John Singleton, Robert Whyte and Mark Carnegie.
Initial plans were submitted in 2018 for alternate use of part of the property at the northern end of the pub, and beside it at 42 North Steyne Drive. The former is a section attached to the Hotel built in 1910, used for a café and accommodation rooms, and the latter the Tropikana bar and apartments next door.
Iris continued the concept with an application to partially demolish the existing properties in favour of commercial accommodation, but the pub-developer ran into obstacles.
Northern Beaches Council noted concerns regarding the height of the proposed structure, and its FSR (Floor Space Ratio), plus a number of objections were received from neighbours, notably unit owners in the Pacific Waves apartments behind (west) of the development, who voiced privacy concerns and disapproval of the disruption that would be caused by construction.
The DA was subsequently rejected by Council.
Undeterred, Iris lodged an amended application addressing some of the concerns, outlining plans for multiple apartments across four upper levels, above a retail space and expansion of the Hotel at street level.
Cost of works is projected to be $16.17 million.
An appeal on the refusal was lodged with the Land and Environment Court, which this week published its ruling that it is “appropriate to grant development consent to the amended proposal”.
Court Commissioner Susan O’Neill referenced that the proposal reflects a “high standard of architectural design”, particularly in materials and detailing, and noted the evidence of heritage experts that the proposal is acceptable to the heritage significance of the building and surrounding conservation area, where it “exhibits design excellence”.
Better suiting the historic pub, it was said the development will “improve the quality and amenity of the public domain”.
Council reported to the L&E court it no longer had any objections.
Iris has begun marketing what will be the products of the work, describing the property as a “luxury residential development”.
PubTIC was unable to reach Sam Arnaout prior to publication.
