Advertisement

$160m plan to redevelop ChemCentre

Looking up: How the $160m redevelopment could look. Illustration: Supplied

After almost six years of dereliction, plans are finally revealed today for a $160 million redevelopment of the old Chemical Laboratory site in East Perth.

To the surprise of many, the blueprints include the dated red-brick block - described as a "mixture of inter-war functionalist styles" by State Heritage Council director Graeme Gammie - that housed the ChemCentre until 1999.

The facade of the facility, which was built in stages between 1942 and 1985 and is protected from demolition by heritage laws, will contain a 1700sqm supermarket.

Nick Di Latte, managing director of Diploma Properties which has been chosen to redevelop the 5335sqm site, said the major supermarket chain would be a drawcard for other businesses to buy into the development, as well as shoppers ultimately.

He said it was always challenging to integrate heritage buildings with new developments.

"If you've see the artist's impression of that corner of Plain and Hay (streets), I think it actually blends in quite well with the new build," Mr Di Latte said. The development will also include a pedestrianised high street lined with shops, bars and restaurants, offices and a 16-storey tower block of apartments.

About 226 apartments will be built in the complex.

WA Planning Minister John Day said the site had been under-used for years and the development would make the area "very desirable".

He said that he did not believe the old building would end up a blot on the landscape among the new development.

Demolition of derelict buildings on the site started this month.

Construction is expected to start early next year and be completed in late 2017.