Demolition is set to get underway at a prominent Maroochydore riverfront site, paving the way for a multimillion-dollar apartment development five years in the planning.
Sunshine Coast Council has approved the demolition of an existing brick triplex at 30 Picnic Point Esplanade, with the adjoining property at number 32 also earmarked for redevelopment.
The combined 1012sqm site will make way for Noir, an eight-storey, 25m-high project comprising 14 luxury apartments, with prices starting at $3.95 million.
The Kratzmann Group development will include 13 three-bedroom apartments and a four-bedroom penthouse, with communal facilities including a pool, barbecue area and steam room.
Vehicle access to the two levels of basement parking will be via Picnic Point, with at least 33 car spaces and 48 bicycle spaces provided.
Ray White Maroochydore agent Niall Molloy, who is marketing the development, confirmed the existing triplex would be knocked down, while a house on the neighbouring property would be relocated rather than destroyed.
“The developer likes giving these homes a second lease on life,” he said.
“He has done it on some of his previous sites, moved houses out to a block of land, given them a light renovation and sold them.
“The intention with this property is to move it rather than destroy it.”
The Noir project has a lengthy history dating back to July 2021, when plans for 15 apartments were lodged with Sunshine Coast Council.
The proposal was subsequently revised to 14 apartments, but the developer took the matter to the Planning and Environment Court in August 2022, challenging council’s decision to grant only preliminary approval and conditions relating to building setbacks, balconies, parking and the proposed dark colour scheme.
The court proceedings ended in September 2023 with approval for the development.
The project has since undergone further design work, with revised plans approved by council late last month.
The amendments included changes to the basement parking layouts, relocation of the lift, alterations to ground-floor spaces and a reduction in the pool size.
Changes were also sought to the penthouse, including the removal of its private balcony pool, along with additional rooftop solar panels.
A separate operational works application, lodged on September 9, is currently under assessment.
The application covers earthworks, stormwater drainage, roadworks, driveway access and car parking associated with the development.
Council issued an information request on October 9 seeking further details about driveway design, parking space widths and safety measures.
Meanwhile, off-the-plan sales for the development are expected to launch this week.
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Mr Molloy said the development was aimed at buyers seeking high-end apartment living, including downsizers who wanted time to plan their move.
“The people buying them have already made their money. Interest rates and the cost of living are not as big a factor,” he said.
“They also like the timeline, as a downsizer. They don’t want to be caught in the buy first, sell first.
“It’s nice for them to be able to pay a deposit, have some say on the design and finishes, know roughly when they will be built and move in.”
Construction is earmarked to begin in February 2027, with completion anticipated between mid- and late-2029.
The Kratzmann Group also has plans before Sunshine Coast Council for a similar eight-storey luxury apartment development at 54–56 Picnic Point Esplanade.
The proposed project, further along the same street, would replace an existing house and block of units with 14 apartments above two levels of basement parking.
The plans include a communal swimming pool and sauna, along with a four-bedroom penthouse featuring a balcony spa.
