Plans for the redevelopment have been put up for a pre-development application community consultation.

The consultation, prepared by Canberra Town Planning, said the new development aimed to transform the block into a "vibrant mixed-use development".

The proposed development has been designed by Cox Architecture and would have ground floor retail and residential units on the upper floors. It would also have a central atrium.

"The ground floor retail together with a proposed pedestrian link to the north of the site - consistent with the Dickson precinct code - contribute to the activation of the public domain and enhance the human-scale experience of the building from the surrounding streetscape," consultation papers said.

"The central atrium and the eastern court with landscape features on ground level provide solar access for the dwellings while facilitating cross-ventilation that will provide comfort to building occupants and support the reduction of year-round energy consumption."

The site is located on the corner of Challis Street and Cape Street. According to the papers both these would have an "active street" frontage. The development would have a "through-site link" that would connect Challis Street and Woolley Street and this would also be an "active street" frontage.

As well, there would be deep-rooted planting in the "through-site link".

Dame Pattie Menzies House was formerly owned by the ACT government but they offloaded the building in 2017. It was sold to private company Merrylin Lindland Pty Ltd for $15.6 million.

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Earlier this year the property was put up for sale but the proponent on the pre-development application consultation is listed as Merrylin Lindland. The company is registered in Canberra but it is managed on behalf of offshore and interstate investors.

ACT government offices remained in the building until October when leases expired.

Dame Pattie Menzies House was sold by the government in 2017 as part of a sales blitz in the area.

The adjacent Dickson Motor Registry site has been redeveloped by Doma Group into an office building and residential apartments.

The consultation period is open from November 13 to November 30 2020.