Braddon's Allawah Flats demolished opposite Canberra Centre

Demolition works have commenced at the Allawah Flats, opposite the Canberra Centre.

The process began on May 26 and machinery was seen razing the site on Thursday.

Demolition is expected to be complete in the first week of August, according to a JWLand spokeswoman.

A mixed-use development with 329 apartments, 2625 square metres of commercial space and an 80 place childcare centre is slated for the site on the corner of Cooyong and Ainslie Avenue.

The Currong Flats development, which occupied the rear of the block, was demolished in July.

Irwin and Hartshorn are undertaking the demolition on behalf of JWLand and Chase, the principal construction contractors for the project.

The redevelopment of the “ABC Flats”, comprising Allawah and Currong buildings and the neighbouring Bega Flats, is part of the ACT government’s public housing renewal program.

• Related: Plans amended for Currong Flats site
• Related: Section 52 Braddon sells for $47m
• Related: Bega Flats to be auctioned

The 25,630-square-metre Allawah and Currong site, known as Braddon Section 52, sold at auction in February 2016 for $47 million.

The 11,712-square-metre Bega Flats site will be auctioned in August.

Bordered by Cooyong Street, Ainslie Avenue, Boolee Street and Kogarah Lane, it is being marketed as “City 7″.

The Section 52 Braddon site is being developed in two stages. Excavation on stage one is expected to start in early August.

Stage one is expected to create about 300 to 350 jobs over the next two years.

Completion of the project is slated for 2020.

An amended development application was lodged in May after resident groups, individuals and the National Trust criticised the original proposal in submissions.

According to the revised application, the company opted to “engage in further consultation with the community about the proposed design to ensure that the development proposal delivers the best possible outcome for future residents and users of the site”.

The public notification period for the development application closed on Thursday.