Arkana Corner unique design is protected by a heritage overlay, and developer Deal Corporation has hired a heritage consultant as part of the site’s redevelopment.
By Shaun Inguanzo
THE developer of central Dandenong’s former Arkana hardware store site is eyeing other prospects to inject a new wave of developments into the city.
Toorak-based Deal Corporation acquired the Arkana site this month but will not reveal how much was paid.
Development manager Simon Abraham told Star the company had enlisted a heritage consultant to help work around the existing heritage overlay on the Lonsdale Street site.
He said Deal Corporation was working with Greater Dandenong Council on several options for the site, but it would follow in the footsteps of other Deal Corporation developments combining a mixture of residential and commercial outlets in the one building.
“Our proposal is for a mixed development,” he said.
“It will contain serviced apartments, some own-your-own dwellings for residents of the area, offices, and a retail showroom on the ground floor.”
Mr Abraham said Deal Corporation was aware of the city’s potential and was keen to develop other sites following Arkana.
“We wouldn’t have considered Dandenong if we didn’t believe it was in the beginning of a period of growth with the support of the State Government,” Mr Abraham said.
“With the transit cities program it is certainly an area of growth, and we hope we are able to provide a new type of property development, something that hasn’t been in Dandenong for some time.”
Dandenong Retail Traders’ Association chairman Roy Aspinall said he welcomed the idea of redeveloping the site but would wait to see the final plans before commenting further.
“It is good see something happening with the site,” he said. “It’s a focal point of the city as it sits on a major corner.”
