Bold new plan for Frogys site

Six years after the derelict former skating rink Frogys was demolished, the site at 70 Mann St, Gosford, has been bought and a new vision revealed.

The public has heard it all before with numerous plans from previous developers all coming to nought since the rink closed in 2002.

For years a graffiti sign saying Gossy Good Times has adorned the back of the site.

This time, the owner is Aland, the developer still putting the finishing touches to the Archibald towers a mere stroll north on the corner of Mann and Donnison Sts.

Aland has confirmed the site includes the derelict county council building still standing at 50 Mann St.

The heritage facade will be maintained to the best of its ability as the company breathes new life into the site, which it has dubbed the Amalfi precinct.

Aland plans to bring a vibrant Mediterranean flavour with Amalfi; a cluster of three oval-shaped glass towers that will feature a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, plus an exclusive collection of four-bedroom Sky Homes.

The residential component will sit atop a commercial podium that will contain a supermarket, a café and a destination restaurant.

Each of the towers will feature a residents-only rooftop swimming pool.

The new $600M development is opposite the former council building, within easy reach of Gosford train station, Kibble Park, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford waterfront and Gosford Hospital.

Aland CEO George Tadrosse said Amalfi builds on the excitement generated by its Archibald project, a major residential, hospitality and lifestyle development nearing completion with 99 per cent of the 327 apartments sold.

“The response to our Archibald development from the Gosford community has been quite overwhelming,” he said.

“Demand for the apartments was so strong that many people missed out, so those buyers now have a further opportunity to secure a high-quality brand-new Aland apartment just around the corner.”

Tadrosse said Amalfi underscores Aland’s ongoing commitment to Gosford.

“We’ve already demonstrated our strong belief in Gosford and the Central Coast by completing the iconic Archibald precinct, which contains 327 apartments, six hospitality venues and 130 voco® hotel rooms,” he said.

“Amalfi By Aland is the next chapter in the story of Gosford’s transformation, offering superior open-plan apartments and a number of special features such as glass-screened balconies and rooftop swimming pools.”

The December 20 announcement was welcomed by Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, who said Amalfi will help reinforce Gosford’s reputation as the “vibrant and thriving” capital of the Central Coast.

“Thank you to Aland, who are so committed to investing in Gosford’s future,” she said.

“The future of Gosford is being built today, and I cannot wait to see what Aland’s Amalfi project has in store.”

Central Coast Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the new Aland development will complement several other projects including the new $32.7M Gosford Regional Library and revitalisation of the Gosford waterfront.

“Accommodation and commercial development, such as what Aland is undertaking, are attractors for people and businesses wishing to make Gosford and the Central Coast their base – as well as helping to make the region a
leading [tourism] destination,” McKinna said.

Gosford is earmarked for significant public and private investment over the next decade, with several major projects recently completed, such as the $348M Gosford Hospital redevelopment, and several new ones, including the $63.8M University of Newcastle Gosford Campus, in the pipeline.

By 2041 the population of the Central Coast is expected to grow by 100,000, while the local economy will generate 55,000 new jobs over the same period.

Merilyn Vale