Toga’s view

We welcome this opportunity to address community interest regarding the Toga Group’s Hall Street, Bondi project.

Toga has identified a wonderful opportunity to transform a bulky, tired and colourless site that many regard as an eyesore, into something refreshing and exciting that will really contribute to the village feel of the area.

Following acquisition of the Hakoah Club site, Toga engaged in extensive community consultation process, including the Bondi Beach Forum, the Bondi Beach Precinct Committee, the Bondi District Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and community members.

In April 2008, we held two community information sessions with invitations sent to 1,750 households. Overwhelming community feedback agreed that the proposal would be a vast improvement and complimented the building design noting that much consideration had been given to improving the Hall Street streetscape.

We then commenced formal pre-DA discussions with council planners and a DA was lodged in June 2008.  Later, the DA was amended to reduce the proposed height and bulk on Hall Street.

The plans, model and perspectives have been on public exhibition at Council twice, originally in June 2008 and the amended plans from mid-December 2008.

Over a two-year period, Toga worked closely with Waverley Council on the project. The fact we are introducing a significant Medina Grand apartment hotel into Bondi means that the proposal has state tourism significance, hence the reason the State Government is now assessing the project.

The project now comprises a retail area, a Medina Grand Apartment hotel, and 34 residential apartments set back from Hall and O’Brien Streets. Award-winning architects Bates Smart have deliberately set back the bulk of the building from the street to create attractive street facades at both the Hall and O’Brien Street frontages. These will be linked by an inviting new pedestrian laneway through the site. We believe that this is a significant improvement on the existing consent for the 7-storey bulky façade fronting Hall Street and a more attractive option than the Hakoah building itself.

Furthermore, the completed development will generate more than 200 full-time jobs on completion and over 350 jobs during the construction phase.

The Toga Group has a track record of developing quality, award-winning projects that add to the amenity of the area. We are committed as a long term owner and stakeholder with most of the project to be held and managed by our Group.

Toga is confident this proposal will provide community benefits, stimulate the local economy and significantly enhance the village feel of Bondi.

– BY FABRIZIO PERILLI