Roseville reinforces the RSL development trend
In a move reflective of a number of RSL decisions in recent years, the Roseville Memorial Club has chosen to development its premises at 62-66 Pacific Highway.
A development agreement between the club and Hyecorp Property Group was conceived during 2017, culminating in last week's lodgement of a development application for the dual fronted 1,375 square metre site. Working under the project name New Rose, a new ground floor 759 square metre RSL club would be incorporated under the plans devised by PBD Architects.
Identifying the need to refresh the club whilst also taking advantage of Ku-Ring-Gai's favourable planning controls, the development application seeks 33 apartments above a rejuvenated club space.
A mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments are proposed, as are 3 basement levels incorporating 51 spaces.
At the time of agreement, Hyecorp Managing Director Stephen Abolakian provided the following statement on the redevelopment of the sixty year old venue:
The building of new club premises is essential in ensuring the Club can continue to sustain itself for future generations to enjoy. We will be introducing new facilities and service offerings to accommodate a range of age groups and interests, creating a true community hub.
While an important goal of the redevelopment will be to attract younger members and visitors, we certainly recognise the need to preserve the traditions and attributes that have helped the Roseville Memorial Club become a much-loved community establishment.
The redevelopment whilst maintaining a presence onsite is a palatable outcome in the eyes of many Sydney RSL clubs, given 31 of the institutions within New South Wales reportedly closed during 2000-2010 timeframe.
A handful of Sydney RSL's are currently in major development mode, seeking more robush outcomes than that of Roseville's.
The Kogarah RSL site is well into construction with the final outcome to include 220 apartments and a 2,000 square metre home for the Club. Bondi RSL's is currently at planning with the intend of creating a $200 million project over 13 storeys containing 124 apartments.
Developer Capital Bluestone will partner with the Bondi branch as it did with kogarah's.
Other intended projects around Sydney include Petersham RSL's transformation into approximately 300 apartments and Merrylands RSL pursuing 401 apartments across multiple buildings at their Military Road address.
The trend has taken root in Melbourne, albeit on a lower scale.
Most notable is Grocon and Fairfield RSL's partnership which created a residential opportunity on the site of club land at 7 Railway Parade. A $50 million residential project containing 83 apartments dubbed Greenwich Fairfield is now under construction.
Williamstown's RSL has been sold off with intentions for an early learning centre, replacing earlier plans for an apartment development which also involved Grocon. The latter's intentions were scuppered due to heritage overlays.