The historic spire of St Mary's Church may soon no longer dominate the city's skyline if a development application (DA) for a seven-storey, inner city retail and apartment complex is approved.
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In fact its sheer volume, 22.3 metres high (over 71 ft), could possibly dominate the heritage centre's vista.
The Panthera Property Group, the company which owns Maitland Riverside Plaza (Kmart and Aldi the major tenancies), has lodged the DA for the former Supercheap Auto site.
Company CEO Chakyl Camal said he has a vision for Maitland - one he believes the city has needed for many years.
Maitland has been crying out for accommodation. The success of events like Steamfest, Groovin the Moo, our Taste and Aroma festivals reach crowds of thousands.
With the completion of No.1 Sportsground, the adjacent and soon to be developed multi-million dollar athletics track, this city is poised to host regional, state and national competitions, bringing more visitors to town and the need for much more accommodation.
The Panthera Property Group's proposal, which will include 86 serviced apartments, should fill part of the accommodation void - a welcome plan but there are two other matters that may infuriate some ... parking and heritage.
Mr Camal's company owns the decked car park behind the Supercheap building, which he said is under utilised. Seventy four of those car parks will be for the serviced apartments - spaces he believes will mainly be used at night when workers and shoppers leave the CBD. On the issue of heritage, Panthera amended plans for the building and presented a more sympathetic design for the prominent site.
Whether that's enough to pacify everyone remains to be seen. Like all big development plans, no doubt there will be many who feel the building is too tall and at odds with the city centre's 'feel'.
Nonetheless, if approved hundreds of trade-related jobs would be created. On completion there would be employment opportunities and work for feeder industries - good news for a business hub clearly struggling.
Tourism, employment and plans to develop more parking - a trifecta for the city.
As for a change to the city's skyline? Perhaps that would be testament to a progressive regional hub willing to take a punt.