A new watering hole — complete with nanobrewery and plenty of space for revellers — is set to bring new life to an old shopping centre in Spearwood.
The Metro Outer Joint Development Assessment Panel approved plans on September 28 for a tavern to transform the upper car park deck of the Phoenix Shopping Centre.
While documents give little away about the finer details of the tavern plan, renders show it being named The Nix and include a “nano-brewery” alongside a large open bar space and restaurant.
Documents say the restaurant space will include 380 seats and a 278sqm “outdoor alfresco” space with seating and play areas.
Applicants The Trust Company say it will be a 6005sqm development that will contribute towards a “new vibrancy” within the Spearwood area, with the $3.28m tavern set to be within the upper level of the car park.
Phoenix Shopping Centre is next to the City of Cockburn’s council building and the Spearwood public library. The new tavern would be about 2km north of and on the same road as the suburb’s only other establishment, the Duck Inn Bar & Bistro.
All five people on the JDAP supported the application, including presiding member Eugene Koltasz.
“I think the proponents and the council have worked well to come up with an activation of an appropriate facility and a difficult site,” he said.
Cr Phoebe Cork said the shopping complex, which has multiple major retailers including Big W, Woolworths, BWS and Aldi, was in dire need of development.
“I’m very, very happy to see the revitalisation of this area; we desperately need it,” she said.
“I’m a local and I’m really happy to see this happening. Antisocial behaviour has been an issue around here.”
Speaking at the JDAP meeting on behalf of the developers, Planning Solutions senior associate Marc Re said the tavern was a high-quality development.
“(This development) will reinvigorate what is a tired-looking centre,” he said.
“It represents a landmark development orientated towards a key intersection.”
Cr Chontelle Stone said the tavern was a “long time coming”.
“The echoing concerns about the antisocial behaviour have been addressed adequately; it’s a fantastic opportunity for a hub,” she said.
“I’m completely supportive of the application.”
One of the conditions of approval is that a preliminary artwork proposal designed by a professional artist be submitted to the City of Cockburn before building approval is granted.