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Bruce is set to get a touch of Braddon as a new $20 million hotel and residential development aims to create an engaging public space within walking distance of GIO Stadium. The project on the corner of Ginninderra Drive and Braybrooke Street is the creative work of Lonsdale Street Traders founder Nik Bulum and architect Nathan Judd, who are behind many of Braddon's latest redevelopments including the Ori building. The plans, recently lodged for approval with the ACT Planning and Land Authority, would create two "distinct" but joined buildings, one of six-storeys which would include a bar, roof top function centre and 60-room hotel, and the other of five-storeys containing 31 residential apartments. Mr Judd said there was a conscious effort for the development to create a mini precinct. "We've really put an emphasis on creating an inviting ground play, where a community of businesses can exist," he said. "It's a pretty cool site, it's a gateway into Braybrooke Street and access to Bruce Stadium and the AIS. "If you think about Braddon being local businesses and local traders and a neighbourhood where people know each other, then yes we're definitely trying to create a mini neighbourhood moment." With Bruce's often bemoaned lack of hospitality venues for pre- or post-game events, Mr Bulum said he hoped the top-floor function centre would have an "almost beacon-like effect". "When you're driving past on a Friday evening you can see something exciting is happening up there, a wedding, people drinking champagne out on the front terrace ... and at that height, and soon as you get up a few floors in Canberra the outlook is gorgeous." Mr Bulum, the Bulum Group's creative director, said he wanted to build a striking building and bring some interest and "uniqueness" to the suburb. "Because every townhouse or apartment is looking the same there, we wanted something contemporary in design, affordable in price and to increase the quality in the area," he said. The mixed one- and two-bedroom apartments, named Malmo – the name of Sweden's third largest city – would have a "little warehouse look" to give it a break from the rendered style of most other apartments nearby, he said. A "middle-market hotel" would be targeted for the complex. Mr Judd said there would be 177 car spaces located in a two-storey underground car park. Submissions on the development can be received by ACTPLA until November 23.

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