SARACEN Properties released the first images of its planned 18-storey tower behind the old Royal George Hotel this week. Saracen says it will be targeting local down-sizers with the luxury apartments, with a Melville council report recently highlighting large number of elders stuck in big, old homes because of a dearth of appropriate small homes nearby.

The developer is also aware the height will be a shock for many, and already a Duke Street resident has contacted the Herald to highlight concerns about the additional parking burden on locals, as well as questioning whether Saracen’s claim it needed 40 apartments to make the development viable was more an ambit claim.

“Forty apartments with these views at $2 million each. Hmmm, do the math, please,” they implored.