Dee Why’s heart ‘Light’ up

THE heart of Dee Why has come alive with the opening of a vibrant new town centre as a key component of the Meriton group’s four-tower Lighthouse development.

Meriton founder Harry Triguboff says Lighthouse and its town centre have filled a yawning gap and ushered in a new era for the Northern Beaches suburb.

“The town centre’s become, as we expected, a drawcard for not only Dee Why residents, but for people from surrounding suburbs.

“The beachfront suburb has been revitalised by a town centre that’s more than a focal point – rather a community hub with a cheerful and relaxed atmosphere.

“The centre’s Woolworths supermarket, the chain’s biggest in the Northern Suburbs, is flourishing and that’s proving a real positive for the other traders.

“Correspondingly, Meriton’s apartment sales have flourished – we are 70 per cent sold ahead of completion of the final tower.”

Lighthouse officially opened last night Tuesday, February 26, by NSW Senator the Hon Kristina Keneally.

It has risen on a 1.44ha site fronting Pittwater Road and which previously housed what locals regarded as the town centre.

The new heart, as well as 350 apartments, has a 16,000sqm retail and commercial area.

It includes a 3000sqm piazza-style dining precinct, two childcare centres, a fitness centre, and landscaped open spaces.

Both National Australia and Commonwealth Bank have Lighthouse branches and major retailers include Upstate Realty, Three beans Café, Hero Sushi, Guzman and Gomez, Grill’d, Wok on In Salt Meats Cheese, and Rashays.

The development has more than 550 car spaces serving both shoppers and Lighthouse residents.

The town centre square is available to the Northern Beaches council for 30 days a year for community events.

Mr Triguboff says the Lighthouse was almost a step into the dark for Meriton.
“I developed some units in Pacific Parade some 50 years or so ago and I’ve always had a soft spot for the area.”

“When the chance to buy a prime main-street site came up, I looked long and hard at Dee Why and decided it was ready for the fillip that top-line apartments and a very alive shopping centre would bring.”

“We already had perfected our suburban shopping centre formula in Sydney and on the Gold Coast.”

“The main imponderable was whether existing Dee Why residents would be strong buyers of new apartments.”

“Any reservations on that count quickly were dispelled when we started marketing Lighthouse.”

The development’s four towers, which range from six to 17 levels, are home to 351 apartments, many with ocean views. Well over 200 have sold, with many being bought by Dee Why residents and with prices setting new records for the area. Sales have included a split-level penthouse in the tallest tower, which sold for $2.95 million.

Lighthouse’s remaining apartments include 1,2- and 3-bedroom apartments from 50sqm – 140sqm internally.