Finbar announces tallest tower in Western Australia as East Perth ABC site redevelopment
The former administration building for the ABC at 189 Adelaide Terrace in East Perth is set to become the tallest building in the area, named ‘Concerto’ as part of development group Finbar’s Symphony City redevelopment.
Set to include 226 apartments and a five and a half storey underground car park, the imposing building Concerto will also feature a 25 metre lap pool, a cabana, a barbecue, a gym, a pool lounge, a games room with pool table, a theatrette, formal dining facilities, meeting rooms and a large lobby.
The $220 million development, and ASX listed developer Finbar’s largest project to date, will have 38 levels – 11 levels taller than Fairlanes by Finbar, developed in 2012 on a neighbouring site.
The site currently contains the former ABC administration building and three level former sound and music studios, constructed in 1959.
The administration building will become 17 one bedroom apartments and studios. The ground floor will house a bar/café and will lead through to Concerto Tower with 209 apartments, many of which will have panoramic views of the terrace.
The former ABC sound studio building, including the Basil Kirke Studio, will be subdivided onto its own title and refurbished. Several parties have expressed interest in commercial uses for this site.
The land owner of the former ABC site, Singaporean-owned Ventrade Australia, went into a joint venture with Finbar in 2008, when the site was purchased from the ABC for $37.58 million. It is a 1.28 hectare site.
A minor town planning scheme amendment had been sought, resulting in completed 23-level Adagio, and 22-level Toccata, currently being constructed.
Managing director of Finbar, Darren Pateman said that it had been a long process to deal with the sensitive issues of the site, from obtaining the scheme amendment to having a previous plan for the site rejected on heritage grounds.
“Whilst the former studios will be on a separate title to the new development, we will be working very hard to make sure that the ultimate use respects its heritage but also compliments our development plans next door and the East Perth area as a whole. We believe that this outcome is the best result for all involved and one that we will be very proud of in years to come,” said Pateman.
There will be a marketing launch in July 2014, with plans for enough sales to commence construction early next year. Completion is estimated for 2017.
Back in 2011, Property Observer reported about Finbar making an impact on the desert in Western Australia. They were then "little known" and targeting a site in Karratha. Since then, they have seen strong sales, won tenders and had much success in the western state. They have previously completed 15 developments in East Perth alone.
Photos are artistic impressions.
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