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Claremont St Quentin 22 Shops
Since the shops at 22 St Quentin Avenue, Claremont were constructed, the site has been a fairly ordinary part of the town centre. A low-rise commercial complex with shops, offices and a large bitumen car park. Built in 1982, it reflected the planning priorities of its time: car access over people, low density and a building form that contributed little to the surrounding public space.
Occupying a large 1,951 m² block, the site sits in a highly strategic location between St Quentin Avenue, Church Lane and Stirling Highway, directly beside the Claremont Community Hub and former town library (the originally the Methodist Church) and just a short walk from Claremont train station. Despite this prime position, the land remained underdeveloped for many years.
Ownership
The property was sold several times as land values in Claremont rose:
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1984 - Sold for $1.47 million
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2013 - Sold for $7.4 million
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2018 - Sold for $12.35 million
In July 2018, the site was purchased by Synicast Pty Ltd, acting as trustee for the Quentin Avenue Unit Trust. A mortgage was taken out at the time of purchase, consistent with a redevelopment strategy rather than passive ownership. From that point on, the site was managed in a way that kept redevelopment options open. Rather than being treated as a long-term investment, leases were kept short, rents remained flat, and the existing building was never significantly upgraded.
Leasing patterns
In the years leading up to redevelopment, the shops and offices at 22 St Quentin Avenue were repeatedly advertised for lease. Rents stayed flat at around $23,000-$24,000 per year, with listings reappearing regularly between 2015 and 2019.
Locking in long-term tenants would have complicated any future redevelopment, so flexibility was prioritised over maximising rental income.
An important legal case
In 2023, Synicast was involved in a State Administrative Tribunal case about early termination clauses in retail leases – Synicast Pty Ltd and Showroom X Pty Ltd [2023] WASAT 47 (26 June 2023).
This clarified something significant:
A landlord cannot rely on vague future redevelopment plans to kick tenants out early. The Tribunal ruled that “special circumstances” justifying early termination must actually exist at the time of the application, not simply be hoped for later.
This decision affected how Synicast (and many other landlords) managed tenants on redevelopment sites. It reinforced the approach already taken at 22 St Quentin: short leases, expiry rather than termination and clearing the site carefully before construction.
December 2025
Planning the demolition
By the time redevelopment plans were lodged, it was clear that everything on the site was to be demolished. The existing two-storey commercial building and the surrounding car park were always planned for complete demolition. There was never a proposal to reuse or adapt the building, particularly as nothing on the site was heritage listed.
Much of the public confusion stemmed from the fact that the adjacent building, the former Methodist Church, now the Claremont Community Hub and former Library, is heritage listed. That building dates to 1922 and is protected under the Town of Claremont’s heritage framework. The redevelopment proposal did not involve demolishing or altering the heritage-listed building. Instead, it had to show that the new development would not detract from its surroundings.
Managing heritage
Because the proposed apartment complex sits directly beside a heritage place, a Heritage Impact Statement was required. A carefully planned approach was taken:
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The tower was set back from Stirling Highway, allowing the church to remain visually prominent.
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A lower podium was designed to relate to the scale of the heritage building.
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A landscaped forecourt and plaza were proposed to open up space around the church.
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Conservation works to the heritage building (including façade, roof, lighting and access upgrades) were incorporated into the project.
The heritage assessment concluded that the development would not negatively affect the heritage building or its surroundings and would actually improve the visibility and setting of the historic church.
The redevelopment proposal
In 2021, a development application was lodged through the State Government’s Part 17 (Significant Development) Pathway, rather than the standard local council process. The proposal included:
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86 apartments
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Retail, food and beverage tenancies at ground level
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Office and commercial space above
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New public spaces, laneways and a pocket park
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Approved at a height of 19 storeys.
The total estimated cost of the Quentin Square project was $108.9 million, placing it firmly in the state-significant category. This means the State Government steps in to make the final decision, rather than leaving it solely to the local council (the Town of Claremont in this case). This usually occurs when a proposal is large or complex enough to have impacts beyond the immediate area, such as housing supply, jobs or transport. While the local council is still consulted, the final approval rests with the State.
The application presented the project as a major redevelopment intended to reshape the Claremont town centre.
January 2026
Community benefits
To justify the scale of the development, several reports focused on community benefit. A Community Needs Assessment identified gaps in the town centre, including:
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A lack of small, flexible community spaces
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Limited green space
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Poor pedestrian connections between civic areas
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Few casual meeting places, especially for seniors and families
In response, the project committed to:
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Creating a pocket park beside the church building
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Providing a pedestrian laneway linking the church, the town square and Church Lane
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Incorporating cafés that open onto public spaces, helping to bring life and activity to the area
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Expand “Claremont Square” across both sides of St Quentin Avenue
These community features became a key part of the argument for increased height and density.
Sustainability promises
The development also committed to aiming for a 5-Star Green Star rating, with a focus on energy efficiency, water use, shading, landscaping and reducing urban heat. However, the sustainability reports made it clear that these targets were aspirational unless formally secured through approval conditions. They helped support the planning case but did not guarantee the outcomes.
Why the State approved it
From the State Government’s perspective, the project delivered:
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Hundreds of construction jobs
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Ongoing employment once completed
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Increased housing options near public transport
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Economic stimulus through construction and ongoing operation
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Making better use of the land in a major activity centre
In June 2023, the Western Australian Planning Commission approved the development (p. 6), subject to conditions. The Town of Claremont strongly opposed the decision and argued that:
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The proposed height went well beyond what was being planned under the Town Centre Precinct Structure Plan at the time
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The size and scale were considered out of character with Claremont (meaning the established scale, appearance and atmosphere were seen as not fitting in with the surrounding area).
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Concerns remained about traffic, parking, waste and delivery arrangements in the immediate area
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Approval was considered too early while planning controls were still being finalised.
Council had recommended refusal, or at the very least deferral but the State approved the project regardless.
The project enters limbo
After approval, the developer appealed several conditions at the State Administrative Tribunal, triggering a formal reconsideration process.
At the same time, Claremont’s planning framework continued to be refined. The Town Centre Precinct Structure Plan moved towards a maximum of 13 storeys for landmark sites, well below the 19 storeys that had already been approved.
By 2024, the Town formally argued that the approved development now significantly exceeded the new planning framework, by as much as 50–100% in height and plot ratio.
It’s a clear example of how Perth’s town centres are being reshaped as pressure for density, housing and investment collides with local character and community expectations.
Demolition took place during the week commencing 19 January.
Renders
Photos
01 - Emerge Associates - www.emergeassociates.com.au/project/st-quentins/
02 - Quentin Square - https://quentinsquare.com.au/architecture.html
03 - Emerge Associates
04 - Quentin Square
05 - Emerge Associates
06 - Emerge Associates
07 - Emerge Associates
08 - Quentin Square
