Club Willoughby on Sydney’s Lower North Shore has been given the green light for a $95m transformation that will include a luxury senior living complex and almost 2000sqm of open space with memorial gardens.
The redevelopment of Willoughby Legion Ex-Services Club site on the corner of Crabbes Ave and Penshurst Street, in conjunction with Hyecorp Property Group, was unanimously approved by the Sydney North Planning Panel.
“It has been a long road to get to this point, and there is still a lot of work needed to complete and occupy the new Club premises,” Club President Matt Vertzonis said.
“The new Club and Memorial Park will continue the legacy of the Ex-Service members that originally founded the Club in the late 1940s to be an integral part of our local area and continue being a strong supporter of the many valuable community groups and causes in Willoughby-Chatswood.”
“The end result will be a significant improvement to the amenity of the North Willoughby precinct. The new Club and Memorial Park will continue the legacy of the original Ex-Service members that originally founded the Club as an integral part of our local area and a supporter to the many valuable community groups and causes in Willoughby-Chatswood.
“Once the details of the panel’s determination have been reviewed, further information will be made available via the Club website. In the short term, nothing will change, the Club will continue trading for a number of months yet,” he said.
“On everyone’s behalf, I would like to thank all members that have served as Club Directors since we began this particular journey in late 2013 for their selfless contributions to what I am sure will be an exciting and well-appreciated development.”
The decision follows almost a decade of planning with Club Willoughby to create a vision for the site that will benefit both long-time patrons and the local community, Hyecorp Managing Director Property Group Stephen Abolakian said.
“This is such an exciting project that provides both a sustainable future with modern facilities for Club Willoughby and excellent amenities for the Willoughby community – everyone will be able to all come together and connect,” Mr Abolakian said.
“An integral part of our planning was to provide high-quality living options allowing people to progress through various life stages and stay within a much-loved neighbourhood.”
The development will be known as “Heart of Willoughby” and see the existing 52-year-old current premises demolished to make way for a new state-of-the art mixed-used project. The revamped Club will be set over three levels with multiple restaurants, café, lounge and bar facilities.
It will also offer a 1500 sqm multi-purpose area, meeting spaces for community groups as well as a retail component. On Level 3 there will be an additional 500sqm function room available for the community to hire.
The residential part of the development will include 126 luxury apartments – 102 of which will be designated for over 55-year-olds and the remaining 24 for all age groups. In addition, there will be an aged care facility on the site and a 406-space underground car park.
The high-end seniors living complex will include a concierge, on site management offering a plethora of daily activities, dining facilities, an indoor swimming pool, gym/pilates studio and onsite consulting rooms for a doctor and physiotherapist.
“Clubs are significant to everyone living in a local area and we are moving forward creating a special hub – a place where all residents can come together for celebrations, to share a meal or engage in community activity, while the outdoor space will provide an area for relaxation and reflection,” Mr Abolakian said.
Work on the project is expected to commence in late 2021/early 2022 and will take around three years to complete.