Perth's famous Cottesloe Beach could be set for a new dramatic look, thanks to a design competition instigated by mining magnate Andrew Forrest to replace the Indiana tearooms, recently purchased by his Minderoo Group.

Key points: Four entries have been shortlisted in the competition to transform the beach

Four entries have been shortlisted in the competition to transform the beach All designs involve demolishing the existing Indiana tearooms

All designs involve demolishing the existing Indiana tearooms But major structural alterations to the area could meet opposition from locals

Four entries have been shortlisted in the competition, fronted by Perth architect Geoffrey London, with designs including restaurants, bars, public pools and viewing terraces.

But there is no guarantee the designs will be built.

The concepts "provide a fresh perspective on the potential of this beachfront site", Mr London said, and all four would involve the demolition of the tearooms.

The four designs are the jury-chosen finalists from a pool of 11 initial submissions.

Feedback from the local community is being sought and Mr London said this would shape the future direction of the project.

Sweeping curved terraces feature in this concept design by Kerry Hill Architects. ( Supplied: Minderoo Group )

"Design excellence will be an absolutely primary factor, the way the building responds to the landscape, and the way it is able to respond to providing real benefit to the community will be key," he said.

"This is the beginning of what will prove to be, I suspect, a quite lengthy process … once a preferred design is selected it will be a backward and forward exercise, talking with the city, with the council, with the community and with Minderoo in developing up a design to everyone's satisfaction."

Pavilions, rooftop terraces feature

One concept, submitted by Durbach Block Jaegers Architects, includes two pavilions built at street level that would house a bar, grassed terraces and casual and fine dining options.

It would also include a pool at the end of the groyne.

Two street-level pavilions are a feature of the Durbach Block Jaegers design. ( Supplied: Minderoo Group )

Another, by Kerry Hill Architects, would see a lap pool and children's pool housed beneath sweeping curved terraces, as well as multiple dining options.

The design by Neeson Murcutt + Neille, along with Simon Pendai Architect and Sue Barnsley Design, included spaces "designed to appear as if they are carved out of solid rock".

It would pair public pools with relaxed dining options on the lower floor, and finer dining with a bar and garden terrace on the upper levels.

Spaces "designed to appear as if they are carved out of solid rock" feature in this design by Neeson Murcutt and Neille with Simon Pendal Architect and Sue Barnsley Design. ( Supplied: Minderoo Group )

The most extravagant of the finalists, a design by Spaceagency and Place Laboratory, would send a public saltwater pool jutting out over the beach.

It would also have multiple dining options, as well as a rooftop terrace with summer bar.

The brief also included an option explaining a "limited refit" of the existing Indiana building might also be possible.

The Indiana building in its current form opened as a restaurant in 1996 on the site of an ice cream parlour known as the Indiana Tea House, which was originally built in 1910.

The Indiana tearooms building would be demolished if any of the new designs get the go-ahead. ( ABC News )

Once the community has had their say on the proposed designs, Minderoo said "the jury will consider the design concepts in conjunction with the public feedback and determine a way forward".

Major structural alterations to the Cottesloe foreshore have rarely been met with a warm welcome from locals.

All of the proposed designs will likely be assessed by a Development Assessment Panel, which could mean a partial bypass of council planning approval processes.

But Mr London said initial discussions with Cottesloe council had been positive.

"My understanding is that Minderoo has already had very good discussions with the local authority, there is a positive response to date on the process that is being embarked on," he said.

"I understand there will be strong involvement from the local authority in the way the project develops."

Multiple pools and terraces mark the design by Kerry Hill Architects. ( Supplied: Minderoo Group )

He said the designs were at the concept stage and could be modified.

"I wouldn't describe these as large developments," Mr London said.

"These are all developments that are responding to the brief to make the amenity really accessible to the public."