The sounds of a wrecker’s machinery will provide a backdrop to sighs of relief and the popping of champagne corks when demolition of the former Ambassador Hotel begins next month.
She plans a champagne breakfast to celebrate the start of work to replace the building that has been inhabited by squatters, linked to drug deals and the target of vandals with apartments “more luxurious than anything available now in Frankston”.
Prices for the 37 upmarket apartments will range from $309,000 to $695,000.
Ms Kordos bought the building with architect’s plans and has secured a one-year extension on her building permit from Frankston Council.
“Squatters come and go, but they won’t be a problem once it’s demolished,” she said.
Talks being held with the body corporate of units sitting closely behind the Ambassador could see Ms Kordos contributing towards an “overhaul and upgrade” of the outdoors section of that property.
Such as change would help increase the value of the units “and lift up the neighbourhood”.
“Just knocking the Ambassador down will mean there will be different tenants in those units.”
The owner of a recently finished “model” boarding house at Noble Park – with plans for up to 10 more – Ms Kordos said her “passion” was now focussed on developing the luxury apartments on the Ambassador site.
“We’ll start demolition in about three weeks with a champagne breakfast,” she said last Thursday.
“Half of Melbourne has had some sort of stay at the Ambassador over the past 40 years. It’s quite a nostalgic place for some – there’s always a story to tell.”
Ms Kordos said she knew the original owners and had bought the property along with plans for the redevelopment.
Nine of the 37 apartments will be single bedroom, 24 will have two bedrooms and four three bedrooms.
There will be 51 car parking spaces, including nine for visitors and one disabled.
The two apartments at ground level will be 108 and 111 square metres with 30 square metre courtyards. The apartments on the other floors will have terraces and balconies.
The apartment block will have solar power, two elevators, a marble-finished foyer and a large blue glass mosaic on the front exterior.
Ms Kordos, an artist, plans to auction one of her mosaics on opening day with proceeds going to charity.
“Aesthetics are important to me. I am creating something for the long term, something that doesn’t age after five years.”
5 Comments
Why couldn’t she return it to its former beauty more employment would have been nice not more units
I totally agree. It so sad to see that beautiful building in the state it is now(Jan 2016) covered in grafitti and all sorts of iffy looking folk coming and going. Those gorgeous stained glass windows. Would love to own one. Wonder if they will sell some bits off
It’s fantastic to see a new development in Frankston. This project will be a gateway for the opportunity to develop Frankston. I am looking forward to see a landmark project go up and I think I would be interested in buying one.
Thank Goodness for that ! They were over-priced rental dumps, they were not appropriate community housing, just flop houses for druggies. More public housing is needed for the Frankston area. Frankston needs to be more up-market as well, as Bayside Melbourne is too busy and noisy these days. Bayside Melbourne residents deserve a nice retreat and Frankston presents that opputunity.
Can’t wait to see this disgusting filthy place ripped down. Allowing this building to house some of the worst iindividuals has not done Frankston any favours.