The Urban Developer
AdvertiseEventsWebinars
Urbanity
Awards
Sign In
Membership
Latest
Menu
Location
Sector
Category
Content
Type
Newsletters
Untitled design (8)
FULL PROGRAM RELEASED FOR URBANITY-25 CONNECTING PROPERTY LEADERS ACROSS THE ASIA PACIFIC
FULL PROGRAM RELEASED FOR URBANITY-25 WHERE THE PROPERTY INDUSTRY CONNECTS
VIEW FULL AGENDADETAILS
TheUrbanDeveloper
Follow
About
About Us
Membership
Awards
Events
Webinars
Listings
Resources
Terms & Conditions
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy
Republishing Guidelines
Editorial Charter
Complaints Handling Policy
Contact
General Enquiries
Advertise
Contribution Enquiry
Project Submission
Membership Enquiry
Newsletter
Stay up to date and with the latest news, projects, deals and features.
Subscribe
ADVERTISEMENT
SHARE
4
print
Print
OtherPhil BartschFri 22 Apr 22

Tech Entrepreneur Disrupts With Shop-Top Development Proposal

Palm Beach Shop-Top Development

The flames on the fryers at the Palm Beach Fish & Chips Shop, a roadside institution on Sydney’s northern beaches, flickered off months ago. 

But tech rich-lister Robin Khuda is still feeling the heat.

The demolition crew has come and gone, levelling the site where locals along with movie stars, rock stars and sporting heroes had once placed their salt-sprinkled orders. 

A development battle line—with a pristine view over Pittwater—has been drawn. 

On one side is the wealthy founder of data centre operator AirTrunk who wants to build a shop-top residential development adjoining the landmark heritage-listed Barrenjoey House. 

On the other side is a local community—much of it also cashed-up—fighting to protect the peninsula’s village vibe.

Khuda, who has been on a $120-million-plus property acquisition spree over the past couple of years, purchased the 1140sq m Barrenjoey Road site through his investment entity Asia Digital Investments for $6 million. 

Since then, he has been seeking to amend the site's existing development approval granted in 2014 for four apartments and three retail tenancies. 

Last year, an application for modification of the development consent was lodged with the Northern Beaches Council for a three-level design with six apartments above retail.

But following community backlash and council feedback deeming it “unacceptable and inconsistent with the seaside village character” of the area it was withdrawn. 

The former Palm Beach Fish & Chips Shop on Barrenjoey Road, which has been demolished to make way for the controversial shop-top residential development.
▲ The former Palm Beach Fish & Chips Shop on Barrenjoey Road, which has been demolished to make way for the controversial shop-top residential development.

Design firm Rob Mills Architecture went back to the drawing board to address the concerns regarding the proposal’s architectural style, appearance and relationship to the adjoining heritage listed Barrenjoey House. 

Subsequently, a new application for an alternative shop-top concept—to be constructed at an estimated cost of about $13.6 million—was recently filed. 

It comprises a three-storey building with pitched rather than flat roof forms that according to the documents is “both sympathetic to its context and contemporary in its use of materials and forms in response to local climate and the seaside village character”. 

The new scheme includes a publicly-accessible plaza and "deep and generously proportioned" colonnade providing weather-protected outdoor seating adjacent to the commercial tenancies on the ground level. 

It is topped with five residences—one two-bedroom and two three-bedroom apartments on the first level, and two four-bedroom apartments on the second level.

Artist's impression of the previous development proposal for the Barrenjoey Road site which was deemed “unacceptable and inconsistent with the seaside village character” of the area.
▲ Artist's impression of the previous development proposal for the Barrenjoey Road site which was deemed “unacceptable and inconsistent with the seaside village character” of the area.

The new application concedes the upper-level roof eaves exceed the site’s 8.5m height blanket by as much as 2.99m in some parts and a height variation request has been submitted. 

“We consider that such request is well-founded in that it facilitates the development of the site in a manner which provides far superior urban design, heritage conservation, residential amenity and landscape outcomes compared to the development approved,” the planning report said. 

A submitted heritage impact statement noted the proposed new building was "similar in height and scale to Barrenjoey House” and although contemporary in character it "demonstrates respect for the key forms, architectural proportions and materiality" of its 99-year-old neighbour. 

It concluded the proposed works would have “no impact on the ability to understand the significance of the nearby heritage listed items” and would support “the ongoing significance of the area as a neighbourhood precinct”. 

Numerous submissions objecting to the new scheme already have been lodged by the local community. 

They describe the proposal as a monstrosity, imposing, grossly out of character and, according to the owner of a property behind the site, even higher than the previous proposal.

"It is a bulky building that not only flaunts height restrictions but is of an ugly, pretentious post-modern design; a complete anachronism," one of the objections said. "With heavy neo-classical porticos and and a pitched federation roofline it is not at all sympathetic to the site and the lifestyle of the area." 

But one of the submissions begged to differ describing it as “a beautiful asset to the already beautiful Palm Beach area”. 

“We can’t keep living in the past and not let these beautifully designed buildings be built,” it added. 

Khuda—who has amassed a $600 million fortune as a data centre entrepreneur—in recent times has been satisfying a newfound penchant for high-end property investment and development.

His property splurge has included a total of three holdings in Palm Beach for $25 million as well as a coastal retreat in Lennox Head for $7 million, an apartment in Crown Resorts’ Barangaroo tower for $10.7 million and a Mosman mansion for close to $20 million.

The AirTrunk chief executive has also acquired two old apartment blocks at Manly’s North Steyne for $18.2 million, which are earmarked for another luxury apartment development.

ResidentialRetaildo not useAustraliaArchitectureSector
AUTHOR
Phil Bartsch
The Urban Developer - Writer
More articles by this author
ADVERTISEMENT
TOP STORIES
Nation's build-to-rent project Charlie Parker in Sydney's Parramatta where more projects are being located and built outside the CBD.
Exclusive

Foreign Capital Still Dominates BtR but Things are Changing

Marisa Wikramanayake
7 Min
Exclusive

Fortis Reveals Plans for Coveted Bowen Terrace Site

Taryn Paris
4 Min
Exclusive

Accor Deputy Delivers Verdict on Brisbane Games Hotel Shortfall

Phil Bartsch
6 Min
Qld Budget 2025-26 Brisbane City
Exclusive

Billions Promised, Now Deliver: Industry’s Qld Budget Verdict

Vanessa Croll
6 Min
Medium Density housing in NSW
Exclusive

NSW Budget ‘Groundbreaking’ $1bn Guarantee to Unlock Housing

Leon Della Bosca
7 Min
View All >
Residential

National Home Prices End Year on Record High

Lindsay Saunders
Lincoln Place Eagle Point Bowls Club and Clubhouse
Land Lease Communities

Lincoln Place Plots 209-Home Scheme on Gippsland Purchase

Leon Della Bosca
Lindfield SSD Resi EDM
Residential

North Shore $154m Apartment Play Tests Zoning Limits

Vanessa Croll
The $154m proposal for Sydney’s Lindfield is being pursued under NSW planning rules for build-to-rent and affordable hou…
LATEST
Residential

National Home Prices End Year on Record High

Lindsay Saunders
3 Min
Lincoln Place Eagle Point Bowls Club and Clubhouse
Land Lease Communities

Lincoln Place Plots 209-Home Scheme on Gippsland Purchase

Leon Della Bosca
3 Min
Lindfield SSD Resi EDM
Residential

North Shore $154m Apartment Play Tests Zoning Limits

Vanessa Croll
2 Min
Linic Property Group Saunton Jindalee
Residential

Linic Group Moves 43-Unit Jindalee Scheme Ahead

Leon Della Bosca
3 Min
View All >
ADVERTISEMENT
Article originally posted at: https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/tech-entrepreneur-disrupts-with-shop-top-development-proposal