The Town of Cottesloe in Western Australia has resolved not to proceed with a proposal to redevelop the heritage-listed Indiana Teahouse, designed by Woods Bagot, and a business plan put forward by Tattarang and Fiveight.
The council rejected the proposal, which was first unveiled in 2021, due to its failure to align with the council’s Foreshore Masterplan by Aspect Studios, a lack of clarity around the financial impacts and risks, and uncertainly regarding the level of community benefit.
“Commercialisation and privatisation of beaches is not a part of our culture and shouldn’t be contemplated unless backed up by very considerable community benefit,” said Cottesloe mayor Lorraine Young. “On balance, we didn’t feel the existing proposal delivered enough in that respect.”
“[The masterplan] was endorsed by Council in 2019, and is a shovel-ready and much-needed project. Any redevelopment of Indiana should fully integrate with the approved Masterplan – the current proposal does not.”
Instead, the council has endorsed a set of development parameters to guide the redevelopment of the teahouse, which address the use of the site, expected community benefits, financial considerations, and environmental and heritage considerations.
The redevelopment of Indiana Teahouse was first proposed in 2019, when the site’s proponent, Minderoo Group (now Tattarang) held a design competition for a new pavilion on the site.
Durbach Block Jaggers, Ohlo Studio and Aspect Studios won the competition, but a public vote revealed that only 10 percent of respondents preferred the jury’s choice and the site’s proponents decided not to proceed with the winning design.
The existing Indiana Teahouse was added to the state’s heritage register in June 2021.
A new proposal designed by Woods Bagot was unveiled in December 2021, which comprised two separate but interconnected structures stepping down towards the ocean, with the existing teahouse building retained. The proposal included restaurants, cafes, a rooftop pool, an underground spa, a promenade and public plaza, a 31-room hotel and a new boat storage shed for the Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club.
The council’s development parameters state: “tavern, hotel and short stay accommodation uses are not supported [and that] redevelopment must sit within current lease boundaries.”
It also expressed a strong preference for a new fit-for-purpose boatshed to be located within the existing footprint.
The council believes the development parameters could guide a revised proposal.
“To be very clear, the Town of Cottesloe fully supports the redevelopment of the Indiana Tea House – and we would welcome a revised vision for the site that works within the parameters set out by Council,” Young said.
“We continue to welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with Tattarang and Fiveight towards a proposal that enhances this landmark site and delivers a great outcome for all.”
Source: Architecture - architectureau
