The former Chappelly Autos site at 68–70 Old Perth Road, Bassendean was previously occupied by a long-standing automotive business before being demolished in April 2022 as part of a proposed expansion of the adjoining aged care precinct. The former addresses have since been amalgamated into 27 Hamilton Street and no longer exists as separate properties.

 

Earlier tenants

From around 1930, the site was occupied by service stations incorporating motor vehicle sales until at least the 1960s. In 1940, the service station was operated by Pelusey & Brown. Between 1945 and 1946, Frank Hooper operated a motor service station from the site. From 1947 onwards, John Wilcock is recorded as operating a motor garage.

 

Chappelly Autos

At some point, Chappelly Autos became the occupant of the site and remained a long-standing local business for many decades. They specialised in used vehicle sales, mechanical servicing and automotive repairs. Despite its local significance, very little published information can currently be found about the origins of the business or when it first began operating from the site.

 

Aged care facility

By 1971, part of the land had been converted into a Class C hospital containing 39 beds. The hospital later became an aged care facility that continues to operate on Hamilton Street today.

 

Redevelopment

On 24 September 2014, 68 and 70 Old Perth Road were sold together for $2.2 million to T & T Management Services Pty Ltd. They appear to function primarily as a property holding and development entity associated with the Aegis Aged Care Group. Their role is likely to acquire land, coordinate planning approvals and facilitate redevelopment projects on behalf of the aged care operator.

 

The purchase was intended to expand the existing Aegis Bassendean aged care facility located at 25–27 Hamilton Street. Plans were developed to integrate the Old Perth Road properties with the existing nursing home to create a larger aged care campus.

 

Approval is given

On 17 May 2018, the Metro Central Joint Development Assessment Panel approved a mixed-use development application comprising additions and alterations to the nursing home, three commercial tenancies and 18 over-55 multiple dwellings. The original proposal was five storeys in height.

 

A revised proposal was submitted in 2020 under DAP/20/01833 following changing market conditions. The over-55 apartments were removed due to a lack of demand and replaced with additional aged care accommodation, while the overall height of the development was reduced from five storeys to four.

 

The revised proposal included three commercial tenancies on the lower ground floor, 39 aged care beds on the upper ground floor connected to the existing facility, 27 aged care beds and staff amenities on the first floor, 37 aged care beds on the second floor and 33 aged care beds with therapy, dining and communal areas on the third floor. In total, the development proposed 136 aged care beds and approximately 260 square metres of commercial space.

 

The existing nursing home was intended to be retained, modified and incorporated into the new development. Conditions of approval also required 25–27 Hamilton Street, 68 Old Perth Road and 70 Old Perth Road to be amalgamated into a single lot.

 

Demolition

Chappelly Autos was demolished in April 2022 to make way for the future redevelopment. However, despite planning approvals being granted several years earlier, construction of the new development has yet to commence.