A $44 million, six-storey apartment development has been approved within the Nedlands Reserve precinct, continuing the redevelopment of the former Hollywood Village aged-care site in Nedlands.

The development, known as Ferguson Lane, will comprise 48 two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, primarily marketed towards retirees.

It will be constructed on a 2,646-square-metre site between the existing Regis Nedlands aged-care facility and a proposed 5,900-square-metre public open space known as Central Park.

The building will include two basement levels providing 102 car parking bays, along with communal facilities including a residents' lounge, kitchen, dining areas, outdoor yoga space and barbecue facilities.

Ferguson Lane is being developed by Human Urban, a company established from Hesperia Group and led by directors Adrian Fini, Rowan Clarke, Jamie Fini and Kyle Jeavons.

The development forms part of the larger Nedlands Reserve redevelopment, covering much of the former 5.5-hectare Hollywood Village property bounded by Monash Avenue, Smyth Road, Karella Street and Williams Road.

HN Asset Pty Ltd, part of Hesperia Group, acquired most of the property from Regis Group for $53 million in 2023, excluding the existing Regis Nedlands facility.

The site's history dates back to 1905, when The Salvation Army established the Karrakatta Prison Gate Farm. The property subsequently became the Nedlands Boys' Home and later Hollywood Children's Village.

Regis Group purchased the property in 1995, with the site subsequently accommodating Regis Weston, the Wyvern residential units and Centennial Close.

Under the current redevelopment plans, the Ferguson Lane site is zoned for mixed-use development, with planning provisions encouraging active commercial uses at street level.

However, the developer proposed communal residential facilities instead of ground-floor commercial tenancies.

A planning assessment found the design acceptable, noting that extensive glazing, terraces and balconies overlooking the future Hardy Street would provide activity and passive surveillance along the street.

City of Nedlands planning officers supported the proposal, considering it an appropriate transition between higher-density commercial development and surrounding residential areas.

The assessment also identified adequate parking, architectural design and residential amenities as supporting factors.

The Metro Inner North Development Assessment Panel subsequently approved the project unanimously.

Panel members praised the building's design and its contribution to the larger Nedlands Reserve development.

The approval allows another component of the former Hollywood Village property to progress towards construction as the precinct is progressively redeveloped for residential and mixed-use purposes.