A $10 million deal to build a seven-storey hotel, offices and apartments on the Port Cineaste site on Adelaide Street is expected to be sealed within the next month.
Mayor Brad Pettitt says the 5000sqm site was sold to Malaysian developer Maha on the condition it use sustainable building designs and open its ground floor to the public. Maha has applied under amendment 49 for the maximum height of five storeys on the Princess May Park side of the old cinema and seven along Point Street.
The mayor says Maha paid a substantial deposit.
“Once they meet these caveats, we will be ready to sign off on it,” Dr Pettitt says. “They will have three years to put in retail, offices, a hotel and apartments.”
The mayor says Harbour Theatre may be relocated to Victoria Hall to replace Deckchair, which closed last October.
Harbour director Nicola Bond says it will be the fifth move in 50 years for Fremantle’s community theatre troupe.
“We just want to get on with the show,” she told the Herald. “We’re looking for a permanent home.”
The Maha deal follows the closure of a number of shops on Adelaide Street, including Fleet Cycles and SOS surf shop.
by CARMELO AMALFI
Sounds great. Anything to get some people and money into the area. Seven stories isn’t too high considering a similar sized building is over the road.
Typically, the council shafts Harbour Theatre yet again. Deckchair Theatre’s already gone, now in its 50th year Harbour is looking for another home. Soon the puppet theatre will be the only thing left.
Its so unfair community theatre again has to suffer just because of Council wanting money, how about council finding out that people want a cultural precinct as is, & should stay as such leave Harbour alone so they can carry on with bringing great shows to the public which they have done for 50 years.