Originally posted by plotstyle
great shots! got any at more than 50dpi?

OBVIOUSLY not.

_____

loving the podium.

Took this on the way to work this morning. Apologies for the quality...

http://www.iffd.net/scott/mondriane260304.jpg

woot.

Now just move out of yer offices Fairfax :guns1:

http://metropolis.tayser.net/projects/cbd/mondriane/mondriane2603041.jpg

Now this is interesting...

http://metropolis.tayser.net/projects/cbd/mondriane/mondriane0204041.jpg

I wonder how long the Grande Central site will lay waste so as Mondriane will be visible? ;)

Depressingly blank.

http://metropolis.tayser.net/projects/cbd/market/awbhouse0204041.jpg

:puke:

this sort of makes up for it though:

http://metropolis.tayser.net/tours/020404/autumnapril4.jpg

Great Set of photos in all threads tays!

Now..how long until this one tops out? It seems like it has been going ages!

Mondraine will have 26storeys. it currently looks 20storeys high with 3 more in core.so 3 more to top out?

http://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/5/2001/01/121028.jpg

the 95m tall Dockside tower too its right give idea of Mondrianes final height.

Good news! The 'Q' Apartments development at the former ES&A bank, South-West corner of Elizabeth and Franklin Sts is now getting a tower crane assembled next to it. :)
This 13 storey scraper development which will rise from the existing 3 storeys was originally intended to be an office tower of 12 storeys back in 1959. A tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright even with the new design, is now under construction.

_______________________________________________________________
I collect, therefore I am. :cool:

I will have to keep an eye out for this one, as I only work a block away from it.

from pacific international
http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/pacificintlapartments.JPG

to panorama sky apartments - not quite as good but the new coffee-coloured cladding looks the goods, it'll be a wait and see until the final product job
http://www.panoramaskymelbourne.com.au/images/main-photo.jpg

cool interiors, seem to be split-level apartments, ex-office tower so good high ceilings
http://www.panoramaskymelbourne.com.au/images/internals-photo-1.jpg

I am pretty sure that the planning appliction was for this new verison of the tower. I think this version looks much better than the old version which was a bit dated looking.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~naharrison/panorama.jpg

From the rendering it's actually 27 levels, a nice addition to the skyline.

anything is an improvement on the big brown bog that's there now

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne



:laugh:

So's anyone seen this baby from the cnr of Collins & William yet?

if you have, were you as pleasantly surprised as I was today? ;)

Taken lunch today. Sorry about the pics, I'm no professional photographer :)
http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v117/henrybal/extras%20in%20film/wespoint/westpoint1.jpg

http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v117/henrybal/extras%20in%20film/wespoint/westpoint2.jpg

Just back from a great 12 days in Melbourne - being out there at 0130 to see the first of the Spencer Street roof panels craned in being a highlight. On Monday, just before I flew home they were doing a site investigation bore on the site next to the mail exchange, south side of Lt Bourke. Does anyone know whether there are definite plans for this site - it may be the subject of another thread under a name I don't recognise of course. The small block next to it (built c.2000 IIRC) is already heavily overlooked by CE's City Point so I would imagine they would be pretty nervous about being boxed in on the other side too.

yeah i noticed the drill as well, always a good sign for impending development.

200 Spencer, approved, 118m. includes a restoration of the mail exchange

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/200spencer_6.JPG

love the curved cnr element! another resi?? lol

yiiiipp. ;)

this proposal's over a year old now eh?

WOW!!

This sounds like great news! But I will not hold my breath just yet.

Thanks Silvermb. With the Spencer Street station towers now deleted (for the time being anyway) the Spencer Street facing units will have a terrific view over the new station and docklands - the view I was hoping to enjoy from my City Point unit (which alos has west facing windows). But if the mail exchange is preserved at least one sectir of that view is safe.

what happened to that proposal??? the mail exchange is sorely in need of a MAJOR PROJECT!!!

Heritage apart, wouldn't City Point and the new 40m between towers requirement preclude any high-rise redevelopment of the mail exchange? I suspect also that there would be real issues re traffic access to the site.

Heritage apart, wouldn't City Point and the new 40m between towers requirement preclude any high-rise redevelopment of the mail exchange? I suspect also that there would be real issues re traffic access to the site.

Here's the solution to your traffic issues:

http://www.winstruc.com/winport1/winport1_01a.jpg

Vic.Gov or MCC should start getting serious about sustainability and start decreasing parking spaces and increasing incentives for developers to pay for more PT access / encourage it more than car use.

:(

They could probably get away with almost no car parking for this apartment, public transport doesn't get any better than a tram at the front door and a major transport interchange across the road!

Also the Mail Exchange is to be converted into self storage :-)

Unfortunately it looks like most of the Mondriane apartments are being targeted at students. The lower levels (8, 9, etc) feature 10 apartments per floor so it is fairly tight. 40 m2 for a 2 bedder isn't huge.

Potentially the higher floors will have some decently sized layouts.

http://metropolis.tayser.net/projects/cbd/market/awbhouse0405041.jpg

a shot for those who've not seen the comp'd AWB House.

currently looks like a dogs breakfast, just a bit of character starting to show though. cant help but think the site next door should be home to a thin 150m residential - dream on!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/uploads/483/mne200405.jpg

In this pic you can just see the shitty old 3 storey motel between Mondriane and the new 12 storey hotel next to that, hence the blank wall:
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~naharrison/mondriane.jpg

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~naharrison/mondriane 2.jpg

[QUOTE=Grollo]In this pic you can just see the shitty old 3 storey motel between Mondriane and the new 12 storey hotel next to that, hence the blank wall.

Great stuff! So the proposed 12 storey hotel has a name as yet? i.e. to the left of Mondriane :?

BTW Where is the 3-storey motel between Mond. and the new proposed 12-level proposed hotel? Is is setback out of view?

[QUOTE=Grollo]In this pic you can just see the shitty old 3 storey motel between Mondriane and the new 12 storey hotel next to that, hence the blank wall.

Great stuff! So the proposed 12 storey hotel has a name as yet? i.e. to the left of Mondriane :?

BTW Where is the 3-storey motel between Mond. and the new proposed 12-level proposed hotel? Is is setback out of view?

Hey Muse! The hotel isn't proposed anymore, it's built - it's the orange and black structure seen in the second pic to the left of Mondriane, and the blank black wall seen in the first pic. The three storey motel is the crappy little brown and white structure seen in the first pic, sitting between Mondriane and the black wall of the hotel.

It's not a bad looking hotel! I think the pumpkin colour of the facade is a rich addition to the Spencer St streetscape. :)

But as Muse mentioned, what is the new hotel called?

It's the Atlantis Hotel. I think it looks pretty cool for a 12 storey hotel:

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~naharrison/atlantis.jpg

The name of crappy 3 level motel is:

"Demolish me and my fairfax / power station neighbour and build upwards" or something

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0434/101510434cl1083140851.jpg

Mondriane has a lot of impact for such a little fella!

Spencer Street :( Hurry up!

Atlantis looks excellent! I love the colour! It wouldn't work on a bigger building because it would be too much, but balanced with the charcoal colour of the trim and lift core, and on a building that size, it looks great!

And that pic is cool Tays - haven't seen the skyline from that angle before. :)

Atlantis Hotel is a beuatiful structure IMO.

Is that Mondriane Apartments on the far left of the last pic tayser posted on the far left with the crane just visible?

BTW There is still no pic of of it on ssc. of Atlantis Hotel. It exists there with info on it only available ATM. Get crackin' on it Grollo to post a pic of Atlantis :)

Is that Mondriane Apartments on the far left of the last pic tayser posted on the far left with the crane just visible?


yarp, that's the one :yes:

finn - Yup, the Atlantis Hotel certainly is a very attractive and modern looking building for its size :)

Back to Mondriane. Noticed on my way to SSC at about 5.15 that a section of the upright for the crane was being lifted into place so maybe we'll be seeing a crane rise soon which should see the crane high enough to finish the job. Must say the backing for the facade at the bottom of the tower looks interesting :sly:

woot.

Now just move out of yer offices Fairfax :guns1:

http://metropolis.tayser.net/projects/cbd/mondriane/mondriane2603041.jpg

After about 6 months of deliberation, Fairfax decided yesterday to stay at Spencer Street. They publicly announced it to all their staff at 3pm and there was a small note in todays paper. The REALLY good things about this are:

- Spencer Street will soon get a much better looking AGE building. The existing brick / dark glass facade will be completely stripped off and replaced with a transparent, slick, contemporary piece of 21st century architecture.
- There is a possibility of additional floors on top of the existing building, which will turn it into a much bigger development.
- Fairfax only need the front portion of their building, which still leaves a massive future development site at the rear extending back almost to King Street, about half a blocks worth that will easily support a 200M tower.

Basicly, Southern Cross Station and Mondriane will soon be getting a much more attractive neighbour:)

Woo hoo, potentially another King Street car park to go! [Long term] Also with a long overdue refurb of a crap-tastic building! I'll be happy to see at least something happen in that butt ugly part of the city ;)

thanks for the info Fountainhead ;) Anything been lodged with MCC / DOI yet? ;)

I think that is bad news. If The Age moved then there woudl have been a much larger redevelopment then just a quick "facade fix" job. That site is calling out for a more intense development and not just a low rise building.

I think that is bad news. If The Age moved then there woudl have been a much larger redevelopment then just a quick "facade fix" job. That site is calling out for a more intense development and not just a low rise building.

Well, take it from somebody who is closely involved with this project that it is not "just a quick facade fix". You won't recognise that it is the current building underneath! Fairfax have yet to make the final decision as what to do, but the preferred plan is VERY exciting;)

I would like to give more details but I can assure you that the redevelopment will not obstruct any plans for more intense development. THe fact is, a more "intense" development is not feasible right now, but redeveloping the existing building is feasible, and will kickstart redevelopment of the remainder of the site and surrounds. We are also developing a masterplan for the remainder of the AGE sites, which will support VERY "intense" development - eventually. A development application has been prepared and will be lodged with DSE as soon as the Fairfax board give the full green light.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~wadad/mypic82.jpg

what a truly disappointing piece of shit.

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6975/101576975cl1086006356.jpg

terrorism to the eye on the scale of shitbox house (1 Spring Street).

ralf :puke:

Hopefully it won't be long before the wall is covered up by another tower because it looks pretty crook like that.

Dockside Tower is a very strange looking building.

I'm trying to see the glass half full here. If it turned out even 1/100th as good as the render that I saw on spencer Street last time I was in Melbourne I would see that glass 1/2 full. Unfortunately I'm only seeing a very empty glass indeed.

It has to eventually be flanked on all other 3 sides by more towers....preferably not Mondriane Nos. 2, 3 and 4. A nice tall twin of the Atlantis Hotel would be nice.

If the the developers have enough sense, they would paint the bare concrete - perhaps after a painting by the famous artist Mondrian (no 'e').

"Composition A" from 1923 (it would complement Docklands across the way):

___________________http://witcombe.sbc.edu/modernism/images/mondrian-compositionA2.jpg
.

Spot the difference? Not much happening! There has been some metal added to the top and cladding also but not much else at the back!

http://members.optusnet.com.au/lukekasper/pacific.jpg

The Age, News 12 by Royce Miller:

"One of Melbourne's long-derelict sites is set for a facelift, with the JETSET building in Bourke Street to be transformed into a $50 million lion boutique....."

"The hotel, to be completed in time for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, will be a sister to the existing Hotel Lindrum in Flinders Street..."

"Australian Super Developments also hopes to replace two vacanct office building on the Bourke Street side of the block with a 27-level office building [we've seen the plans for that haven't we?]..."

"Lane which runs through the middle of the site, would be transformed into a Hardware-Lane-style strip of cafes and retail shops."

"Company chief executive Kevin Fitzpatrick said he hoped the hotel would start the reviatalisation of the entrie Grand Central site. He said he was confident his board would make a final decision this month to proceed with the hotel"

"He said there was a lack of 4 ot 5 star hotels in the West End of the city to cater for the "boutique corporate" market"

GET THE AGE AND HAVE A LOOK AT THE RENDER

quite literally: WTF is that building on the RIGHT?????????

Tower plan plays green card (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/08/1086460289837.html)
By Royce Millar
The Age (www.theage.com.au)
9 June 2004

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/06/08/grand_central,0.jpg
The proposed Grand Central project is planned to implement the latest energy-saving technologies.

If it ever sees the light of day, the latest office tower proposed for the Grand Central bombsite on the Bourke and William Street intersection, will be one of Melbourne's greenest buildings.

Australian Super Development's (ASD) 27-level complex is one of six pilot projects funded under the State Government's Commercial Office Building Energy Initiative.

ASD says it is confident it will sign major tenants by the end of the year and begin rejuvenation of one of Melbourne's enduring eyesores. Yesterday Acting Premier John Thwaites said the proposed 40,000 square metre tower would be "significantly cheaper to operate" as a result of the green building initiative.

Through the scheme, the Government contributes up to $60,000 to help design environment-friendly and energy-saving commercial buildings. Extra funds are available if designs are transformed into bricks and mortar.

Mr Thwaites said the scheme would help stimulate interest and investment in high quality, energy efficient building design across the commercial sector. "Commercial buildings consume large amounts of energy and with Victoria's energy demand growing by 2 per cent per year, the Bracks Government is looking at smarter ways to build energy efficient workplaces."

Other pilot projects include the $28 million Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services training complex in Burnley.

To help with the green building pilot projects, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Victoria has brought US green building expert Huston Eubank to Melbourne.

Mr Eubank, from the Rocky Mountain Institute in Colorado, said that successful environmental building required incorporation of green ideas at the very beginning of the design process. He said that 10 years ago environmental design focused on costs from energy saving. But much better results had come from convincing building owners and tenants of the productivity gains from healthier workplaces.

It was also important to motivate, rather than force, business to embrace environmental design, he said. "Incentives are a more powerful motivator than the Government mandating it."

The energy innovation initiative will help developers achieve a high rating under the Government's new Green Star system. So far none of Melbourne's big office buildings are eligible for a five-star rating under the new Green Star rating system. But Melbourne City Council's new offices, CH2 in Little Collins Street, is likely to be the first six-star building in Australia.

The Sustainable Energy Authority has invited other developers and architects to apply to take part in the scheme.

Energy-saving technologies that contribute to a five-star rating include glazing systems that maximise daylight but reduce heat, intelligent lighting systems, bicycle parking and systems to re-use or recycle grey water and other materials.

Yeah that's the one which has been around for a year or more - but if you have a hard copy of The Age go to NEWS 12 and look at the Hotel render and look at the building on the right - what the hell is it?!?!?!?!

Yes, very curious!

The picture shown in the Age is a different picture entirely to the one that is connected with the article on the Age Online.

Interesting... Looks almost Yve-ish!

Looks like the Chevy's back in town as well people!!!

Chevron complex gets go-ahead
By Susannah Petty
The AGE June 9, 2004


The landmark Chevron building will be reincarnated as a 300-apartment complex.

The long-dormant Chevron site on St Kilda Road is set for a grand overhaul, this time by a pair of Sydney developers with plans for a $160 million apartment project.

Their company, 519 St Kilda Road Developments, has received approval to build a 300-apartment complex on the high-profile site.

The scheme is the second attempt to breathe life into the site since the building, once a ritzy hotel patronised by the likes of Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra, closed its doors as a popular nightclub in 2001.

The former owner, Development Ventures, spent three years trying to raise its own $100 million-plus apartment project, but sold the site late last year for $16.5 million.

The latest project will incorporate more apartments, although the developers say it will be vastly different. Central to the plans is the restoration of the Chevron building into low-rise apartments. More apartments will rise behind this, ranging in height up to nine storeys.

The first apartments will roll out in August, priced from $280,000 for a one-bedroom apartment to $990,000 for one of 19 penthouse pads.

The development was approved last week by the Department of Sustainability and Environment in the face of concerns the near-city apartment market is oversupplied.

Figures from the Real Estate Institute of Australia show the vacancy rate for properties within 10 kilometres of the city climbed to 6.9 per cent in April from 4 per cent in March.

But Daniel Hausman and Lance Hodgkinson, equal partners in 519 St Kilda Road Developments, say the project will fill a niche. "There isn't a lot of other supply in this area that we're competing against and we're quite confident there's a lack of supply that will show through in the near future," Mr Hausman said.

It must be a tri-tower development site? The Hotel is in that Commercial render (BUSINESS - Property Commercial Market Page 10) on the left (infront of Marland and BP) but the Yve-ish render (good description salamagd) looks to be behind (North West of the block)???

or have I got my bearings completely wrong?

That building next to the proposed hotel (conversion of the existing office tower) looks to be the rear of the proposed tower shown above. Its a great deisgn from the back. And yeh, your right Mr T, it looks very much like the new Yve on St Kilda Rd!

wow, good news for hotels.
i wonder what height it will be? if that is AMP sqare to far left, its parapet is 106m, so looks similar height?

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/06/08/grand_central,0.jpg

If that's the case A. steve, then I'm 10x more impressed by this proposal than I originally was (was quite "meh" for a while), as the only render we've seen of it (above) gives the impression it's purely a square / straight line building. If it got some curves.... then phwoar!

Cul: 120 - 130m from memory.

Oh fucking fantastic. A short glass box.

The curvy building on the right is just the other side of the proposed office tower. Although there should be room behind the hotel for a tall residential tower.

A 27 level office tower and 15 level hotel on one of the best consolidated sites in Melbourne where they could build up to 300 metres, what a waste. They should have more patience and wait until the conditions are right for a 250m+ mixed use tower.

Lucikly I think the office tower has next to no chance of going ahead any time in the current office leasing market.

Here is another render:

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/06/08/09BUILDING,1.jpg

they need a daimuru type skyscraper/shopping complex there

No we dont need another suburban shopping centre in the CBD, Melbourne Central's only JUST getting fixed as it is.

I like melbourne's street shopping, keep mega malls in the burbs for shaza n daza

What's this!? Mondriane has been religated to halfway down page 2 now! Here's a snap shot from today...

http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~ciaobella/Scott/mondriane080704.jpg

A new proposal for the vacnat site at 200 Spencer Street (next door to the old mail exhange building) has been submitted to DSE.

There is a 35 storey tower (118m) already approved on the site so it's good to see that not only is the proposal still current but they are adding another 6 levels!

Details:

Permit number:TPM 04/000129
Development of the land for a 41 level building for the purposes of 372 apartments, ground level retail premises and associated car parking.

This is great. I wonder what they are going to do with the old Mail Exchange building. It would be great to se it intergrated well with the new proposal.

The old mail exchange building is being converted into self storage units :-)

its a beautiful old buildng and all it really needs on the oustide is a bit of a clean up. a classic, and im glad its being retained.

so 41 levels id say about 138-140m

Cheers

Dean - Melbourne

Self storage units!


NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

That is sooo bad!

piccies

A new proposal for the vacnat site at 200 Spencer Street (next door to the old mail exhange building) has been submitted to DSE.

There is a 35 storey tower (118m) already approved on the site so it's good to see that not only is the proposal still current but they are adding another 6 levels!

Details:

Permit number:TPM 04/000129
Development of the land for a 41 level building for the purposes of 372 apartments, ground level retail premises and associated car parking.

Excellent, could 41 storeys means 35 above grnd and 6 parking levels below ?

What it should mean is 6 levels BELOW ground and 41 levels ABOVE ground, but I think it means car park podium and residential on top! If that is true, that is very sad! More car park podiums! YUCK!

renamed and Merged:

200 Spencer Street
Market Precinct
277 William Street
King Street projects (2 original threads)
Mondriane

Shall I merge Northbank into this too?
RACV?
Old ASX?

Yes. Merge the lot.

I must say that the Market Precinct has some great potential to be a hive of activity and a haven for highrise. There is still one Moderne style warehouse in that area that could be retained and a tower built behind it and of course there is the old Greenwich Village site too.

212-224 King Street, Melbourne
http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/KF/KF_69/300/KF_69_27650_19285.jpg

Here is yet to be completed building on the corner of Elizabeth & Franklin Sts. Q Apartments. Thanks Mr T!

http://img55.exs.cx/img55/9961/E1.jpg

Market Street Hotel
http://img64.exs.cx/img64/3324/CollinsStHotel1.jpg

Mondriane
http://img64.exs.cx/img64/2963/Mondrane.jpg

http://img64.exs.cx/img64/9254/Mondrane1.jpg

From THE MELBOURNE TIMES
A Sydney group talks Spencer Street up
By SIMON KIDD

Fancy a view into Telstra Dome without leaving home? Plans for Spencer Street's newest skyscraper could solve the problem.
Defying warnings of an apartment market slump, Sydney-based Estate Property Group last month lodged plans with the Department of Sustainability and Environment for a tower at 200 Spencer Street. The 41-storey tower would contain around 370 apartments, as well as retail and commercial space.
Marketing manager Scott Blyth said the group had picked the Spencer Street site, as the street was an emerging residential area. Supermarkets, transport and services made it an excellent city address.
"It's a highly active precinct," he said. "We see that the area is not going to be the same Spencer Street as 10 years ago.
He said that once the planning Ministers' office approved the plans, the group would begin a large-scale marketing campaign.
A Department of Sustainability spokeswoman said the State Government had already approved a 35-storey height limit for the site. Because of the large size of the project, the government, not the City of Melbourne, will decide whether to allow the building to go ahead.
Director of strategic research for property analysts Charter Keck Cramer, Robert Papaleo, said high construction costs and low demand for apartments made the tower unrealistic in the short term.

Sounds like great news. Lets hope it gets off the ground!

Well you heard it here first hehehe

Mondriane looks to be topped out. It looked like the corebox was in the process of being disassembled this morning.

OOOooo, Spencer Street would love another tower in the area of 41 storeys. Approximately how large would that be in metres, 180m or so? Not very good with that myself I'm afraid.....
stu

OOOooo, Spencer Street would love another tower in the area of 41 storeys. Approximately how large would that be in metres, 180m or so? Not very good with that myself I'm afraid.....
stu

General rule of thumb:
1 residential floor = approx 3m
1 office floor = approx 4m

So 41 storey resi approx 130m

Cheers mate, that'll come in useful in the future for me :). Not as tall as I thought.... but a nice beef up for the area! Hope they go ahead with it for sure.
stu

This building has "[Not] Guilty, your honour" written all over it...

http://www.thehoddlegrid.net/projects/updates/cbd/small/westend1708041.jpg

very legal looking eh

Not bad considering that before the refurbishment it was one of the ugliest buildings in Melbourne.

Yeah, much improved. But I'm reserving judgement until I see the facade to ground level.
stu

Mondriane looks to be topped out. It looked like the corebox was in the process of being disassembled this morning.

I noticed the same thing on Monday, 1/2 the corebox was off when i looked. The crane is at full height too. So only a little while to go now.:)

Has anyone seen Todays Age 'Domain section page 17 advertising the Grand Launch of 200 Spencer street on Sunday 19th of September ,that Render looks taller than 41 floors ,looks like its a goer!

Pacific Apartments

They have added the top levels.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/lukekasper/pacific2.jpg

It seems to be very slow. Are referbs always slower?

any recent pix of Mondraine?

The ugly little tower near the Downey St on Flinders St has toped out and its 15 levels.

I noticed today that the base (ground floor, street level) of the Old Argus Building has been cleaned for the first time in years. Maybe we might see soime action there soon!

I was once told the Argus Building once had a silver dome or sphere on top of it's corner turret but it was removed during WWII as it was too reflective and visible from the air.
Anyone know about this or was the old guy feeding me a load of bollocks?

I have some old photos in my collection from the 1930s and there was never a top on the tower. I think it might have been proposed, but it never got built.

Thanks Aussie Steve.
what is it with this town and the incompletion of domes, crowns and spires Grrrrrrr!

Tell me about it.

Top priority is State Parliament House (north & south wings and dome) followed by the GPO (Elizabeth St facade).

Thanks Aussie Steve.
what is it with this town and the incompletion of domes, crowns and spires Grrrrrrr!
I use to have a render of Casselden Place showing it sitting at the corner of Spring Street and Victoria Street not Lonsdale Street and with a DOME on top!!
Casselden Place was never completed!! :bash:

The Collector, I think you might be talking about the proposed (but never built) 1990s Gas and Fuel towers that were supose to have copper domes similar to 333 Collins Street.

No, even the picture of the project that was on the corner of the actual site where the footpaths are showed a render with a dome on top of Casselden.
I assure you a dome was part of the original design.
Cheers.

bringing this thread right back to the west end, mondriane is like a woman performing a strip-tease; every time i go by i get too see a little more. get some paint going please...

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/mne200410.jpg

LOL great analogy - just hope it's not Dandenong-calibre 'Shoop' type woman, that's all ;)

Definately need some paint... more than a tickle of it too.

stu

I've had to look at this wall for a week or so now. What the fudge is it?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/henrybal/wtfbuilding.jpg

beige wall

beige wall

Thank you so much :)

It is the wonderful (i'm kidding) apartment building is in the Downey Street Precinct. The Eifel Apartment Towers (x 2) is currently under construction and will overpower this ugly little thing!

http://www.lankaproperty.net/int_property/intern_p2.gif

http://www.lankaproperty.net/int_property/intern_p5.gif

im just updating my monthly construction diagram and trying to find Eiffels current core height? any recent pix?
cheers

^Hasn't started yet Cul. Still ground works i believe.

thanks

A couple of poor quality Neo200 renders:

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/8878/101998878ml1099458185.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/8811/101998811ml1099457355.jpg

Does anybody know what may be happening with the proposed 'Shangri La Hotel' at Village Docklands and the 'Savoy Tower' at 150 Spencer Street?

Both towers are around 180m tall and would look awsome on Melbourne's west end!

I noticed on the skyscrapers.com sity by 'emporis' that there is a vision also to build a 680m tower called the 'South Pacific Centre' with 150 floors. No photos or sketches though. Im undecided on the proposal but I seem to think it's another 1 of many projects that will end up on the 'Melbournes never built' thread!!

Does anybody know what may be happening with the proposed 'Shangri La Hotel' at Village Docklands and the 'Savoy Tower' at 150 Spencer Street?

Both towers are around 180m tall and would look awsome on Melbourne's west end!

I believe Shangri La is approved but won't start construction for some time yet, not sure but I think Savoy was also approved, but construction on hold too.


I noticed on the skyscrapers.com sity by 'emporis' that there is a vision also to build a 680m tower called the 'South Pacific Centre' with 150 floors. No photos or sketches though. Im undecided on the proposal but I seem to think it's another 1 of many projects that will end up on the 'Melbournes never built' thread!!

Ugly sonuvagun that one, and it won't go ahead, it was proposed for where TD is now (or very close too)... never got approval and apart from height was a shocking design.

Stu

Capital Gain always comes up with something on saturday's

Westpoint will start construction of phase two on Market street in the new year. Seems it will be a L-shaped 26-level apartment tower that will sit up against Panorama Sky (Pacific International) covering more of the brown wall and comes out to Flinders Lane

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/psa.jpg

only AXA and the 2 Queen st site left to give the north looking views a better outlook

if only they buit this to cover the QBE wall on Queen st

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/2 queenst.jpg

I have never seen that render of Q1. I think that is the best one I have seen. Why can't a developer see the potential of this site? Uninterupted views across the river and Southbank!

Capital Gain always comes up with something on saturday's

Westpoint will start construction of phase two on Market street in the new year. Seems it will be a L-shaped 26-level apartment tower that will sit up against Panorama Sky (Pacific International) covering more of the brown wall and comes out to Flinders Lane

only AXA and the 2 Queen st site left to give the north looking views a better outlook

if only they buit this to cover the QBE wall on Queen st

Cool, I saw that an application had gone in for a 26 level tower last year but I thought it was just for the minor redesign of the Panorama Sky (Pacific International).

Whatever happened to 2 Queen Street, wasn't that tower definately going to go ahead as serviced offices or something?

the replacement for Q2 apartments, better than the apartment complex that flopped. thinking the QBE wall would be exposed when i heard it was only 12 levels a few months back, but hey this is a cracker! big impact for a little tower looking north from the yarra.

http://www.spowers.com.au/images/projects/Q2.jpg

build it now!!

It should, and it could go higher! At least to the same height as QBE. Building a wall to cover QBE is ok, but not the best solution.

Thats awesome.

I would rather a shorter tower of this standard of design that a slightly taller boring tower. Very FK looking design with the twin blades.

Mondriane should be almost finished by now:

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6630/102046630ml1101087014.jpg

i really do hope they keep the power station and stack. it looks so surreal. i love industrial architecture. just rid the bldg of asbestos and were laughing.

come on Fairfax, get your arses into gear ffs!

i really do hope they keep the power station and stack. it looks so surreal. i love industrial architecture. just rid the bldg of asbestos and were laughing.

Fair enough, personally I think it has no business being in the CBD and can't wait until it is cleaned, demolished and redeveloped.

Stu

Grollo, the photo above is a cracker. Very impressive.

Pssst, I've heard a whisper that the Prudential site's (S.E. cnr of Bourke & Queen) proposal has been rejected, 'twas just over 170m, but it wasn't the height that was the problem, but the bulk!

I'd love to see them make a similar height tower but skinnier :naughty:

Pssst, I've heard a whisper that the Prudential site's (S.E. cnr of Bourke & Queen) proposal has been rejected, 'twas just over 170m, but it wasn't the height that was the problem, but the bulk!

I'd love to see them make a similar height tower but skinnier :naughty:

That's on the corner of Queen and Bourke right...

Here's a pic.
http://homepage.mac.com/jbadcock/Melbourne/misc/cbd1_231104.jpg

i really do hope they keep the power station and stack. it looks so surreal. i love industrial architecture. just rid the bldg of asbestos and were laughing.

i feel the same....

they should also keep the silos near the yarra river

Pssst, I've heard a whisper that the Prudential site's (S.E. cnr of Bourke & Queen) proposal has been rejected, 'twas just over 170m, but it wasn't the height that was the problem, but the bulk!

I'd love to see them make a similar height tower but skinnier :naughty:

The site was too small for a 60,000 square metre office tower and they couldn't find a tenant so they withdrew the application. They need to go away a buy a few more adjoining buildings or just build a 250m residential tower :-)

The site was too small for a 60,000 square metre office tower and they couldn't find a tenant so they withdrew the application. They need to go away a buy a few more adjoining buildings or just build a 250m residential tower :-)

They already own 3 parcels of land there. Trust me, it can take a tower. But MCC and DSE rejected it.

The application was withdrawn on 24/06/2004. I tcould not take a tower of the size and bulk they were proposing and meet all of the planning requirments. They should aquire 431 Bourke Street (which is a boring little building).

The application was withdrawn on 24/06/2004. I tcould not take a tower of the size and bulk they were proposing and meet all of the planning requirments. They should aquire 431 Bourke Street (which is a boring little building).

Well, I have the Peddle Thorpe proposal sitting on my desk at work. And currently working on this project (from an urban design point of view). I don't really want to offer too many details cause it's a current job at work and could possible cause certain issues. If you know what I mean :wink2:

So is it a new design or modifications to the previous proposal? They could have taken it to VCAT for failure to determine if they thought DSE were full of shit, just like Prima where the DSE decision was overturned by VCAT.

So is it a new design or modifications to the previous proposal? They could have taken it to VCAT for failure to determine if they thought DSE were full of shit, just like Prima where the DSE decision was overturned by VCAT.

Well the design had a set back of about 10m to Bourke St and about 5m to Queen St. Above the 40m podium that is. Also, had retail to McKillop, Queen and Bourke with a corner entrace to the foyer.

The tower itself had winter gardens on most sides, as a verticle element that slightly protruded from the facade.

I don't know the full history or understand totally why it was rejected. All I know if I'm helping with concept massing for the site. Woohoo!

Also, I'm sure this has been discussed, but there's a proposal for a 60 floor tower (200m) on the existing bunnings site (on the little collins side). There's a showroom on site with model (though the height of the model is no right cause it wouldn't fit in if it was the full height).

This tower is ALL residential and part of stage 2. Stage 1 will commence next year (with no minimum requirement for sold apartment).

I checked with DSE and the 60 floor tower has been approved. They have plans and elevations etc available. I did take some pics (yes, they allowed me) so I can post these next week if people are interested. Though again, this is probably old news as the approval was issued in August. Anyway....

Good news!

An application has been submitted for a hotel and residential apartment tower in between the Atlantis Hotel and Mondriane at 284-294 Spencer Street. That means the blank wall on Mondriane will hopefully be covered up sooner rather than later :-)

It's the lot next to Mondriane in this pic:
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~naharrison/mondriane%202.jpg

currently there is a horrid three storey brick building on the site:
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~naharrison/mondriane.jpg

Well the design had a set back of about 10m to Bourke St and about 5m to Queen St. Above the 40m podium that is. Also, had retail to McKillop, Queen and Bourke with a corner entrace to the foyer.

The tower itself had winter gardens on most sides, as a verticle element that slightly protruded from the facade.

I don't know the full history or understand totally why it was rejected. All I know if I'm helping with concept massing for the site. Woohoo!

Also, I'm sure this has been discussed, but there's a proposal for a 60 floor tower (200m) on the existing bunnings site (on the little collins side). There's a showroom on site with model (though the height of the model is no right cause it wouldn't fit in if it was the full height).

This tower is ALL residential and part of stage 2. Stage 1 will commence next year (with no minimum requirement for sold apartment).

I checked with DSE and the 60 floor tower has been approved. They have plans and elevations etc available. I did take some pics (yes, they allowed me) so I can post these next week if people are interested. Though again, this is probably old news as the approval was issued in August. Anyway....


Please, do post the pics!

Stu

That is great news Grollo. :D

Great news but I reckon the people living in the peach coloured Tower block behind the proposed develpopment wont be that impressed to have their views of Docklands blocked.

It's not surprising that it's a hotel proposal given what's going up opposite - sort of makes you wonder how a predominantly hotel Savoy Tower would go along there as well (it was primarily residential with a smallish hotel component yes?)

w00t all the same though, death to the blank wall(s) :)

Great news but I reckon the people living in the peach coloured Tower block behind the proposed develpopment wont be that impressed to have their views of Docklands blocked.

They shouldn't have bought into such a crap looking apartment tower in the first place.

hear hear - worst looking building in Melbourne that steaming pile

(for Cul)

Q Apartments is that crane on western side of Elizabeth Street

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0935/102050935ml1102552774.jpg

whoa this tower will look so dominant when they paint it black. strong design and contrast with black/green/silver, pretty good outcome. now for the proposed tower next door and the Age redevelopment
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/mne200412.jpg

http://img105.exs.cx/img105/5372/dsc004522jr.jpg

Address: Savoy Tavern, 689 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Tenders close: 24 March 2005, 12.00pm, Lv 32, 360 Collins Street, Melbourne

Located on the corner of Bourke and Spencer Streets, the site of 1,830sqm is directly opposite the Souther Cross Station development. There is a current permit for a 47 level mixed-use building.

Development site m2: 1,830

http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/KF/KF_69/300/KF_69_37094_26536.jpg

C'MON MIRVAC/AUSTRALAND/GROCON - do it for Melbourne! ;) ;) ;)

actually, I wouldn't be surprised at all if CE have a crack at this.

The original/current proposal

http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/KF/KF_69/300/KF_69_37094_26547.jpg

http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/KF/KF_69/300/KF_69_37094_26548.jpg

View from proposed tower
http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/KF/KF_69/300/KF_69_37094_26550.jpg

the pain.. :(

Excellent :-) Considering that the Savoy Hotel still wants to expand and the success of 200 Spencer Street there is a good chance somebody will now actually build the tower. Maybe we should put a tender together, $100 each should cover it :-)

Come on!

I bid $200!! Cheque or credit card?

Seriously, this 180m tower will further enhance the view from the Bolte Bridge. Whats the chance of this going ahead.

is this a tender for builders (i.e. it's definitely going ahead) or developers (i.e. it could be bastardised if built at all)?

no, purchasing of the site with valid permit.

hows the Eifel tower going? im updating diagrams and last month it was an assembled corebox @ street level.
cheers guys

pic by kasperluke:

http://members.optusnet.com.au/lukekasper/grandcentral.jpg

The pain! :puke:

WTF kind of name is Eifel anyway? So corny!

And that Grand Central site needs a megatower!!!

Any idea what was there before Tayser? Pics??

These two buildings were knocked down to make way for Grand Central in the late 80's:
http://www.statelibrary.vic.gov.au/pictures/0/0/2/im/pi002157.jpg

Shell house was the first modern skyscraper in the CBD to break to old 40m height limit and the building next door is the former shell house.

Youch! Before and after shots really make you realise (more so than before) what a total dump the area is now. Somebody do something!! Puhlease!!!

http://www.thecollectormm.com/gallery/postcards/1920s-1980s/slides/Bourke18.jpg
Shell House was a landmark tower in its day and even made it on postcards as shown above.
The Grand Central owners should buy the plans for church place and start construction immediately! :runaway:

That is really quite amazing. They have kept the carpark, kept the side walls of the building! even the internal stairs are there! Just the whole building is gone! There is an abandoned building just west of the park as well. I assume that is part of the Grandcentral block.

grollo, ICI House was first modern skyscraper to break 40m height limit! It started in 1957 and compelted in 1958.
Shell House was 2nd it started in 1958 and completed in 1960.(17st/70m)

ICI
20storeys/83m

http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an25110313-v.jpg

With the MCG well on the way.....Eureka .....well not much more to go.....QV centre, etc. we have to feel that the Grocon guys need a big or a number of big things to keep them occupied.

With talk about efficient buildings.....well OK I am just pushing my opinion. but ! These towers with big floorplates, bulky and squat.#@!!**@........Why not build taller slim towers. Workers would all be closer to natural light, not just the top execs.OK maybe that means companies would rent or buy more floors but whats a few stairs when most comunicate on a PC anyhow.A building over 5 levels is going to cast shadows over nearby streets so why is this shadow thing such a big deal? If you go down to the Yarra bank most of the shadow on it's banks are from the trees. A tall slim tower casts a longer shadow but over a block or two who cares.So ...build a tall, slim, landmark, well designed building on Grand Central and beside the Savoy.

grollo, ICI House was first modern skyscraper to break 40m height limit! It started in 1957 and compelted in 1958.
Shell House was 2nd it started in 1958 and completed in 1960.(17st/70m)

Shell House was the first in the CBD. ICI House is outside the traditional CBD grid.

skyscraper shapes and sizes depend upon a whole lot of issues.Shadows are a big deal , especially with precious parklands and predestrian malls ect. sunlight is so tight in Sydney's CBD, it has caused the designs of bldgs to step up in certain ways ect.
even 5mins of sunlight in a park is precious. its all about setting restraints for future developments.Its east to say "lets have a tall slim tower on this site". But someties this cant be done. In Syndey we now have limits of at least 1000sqm per floor.Any smaller and its not worth building.thus the larger floor plates to handle the required floor space.

Shell House was the first in the CBD. ICI House is outside the traditional CBD grid.
your pushing it.lol
ICI is still in the City of Melbourne though!
harrys Blues Point tower was tallest bldg in Sydney at one point in 1961 but it is located over at Blues Point near North Sydney.but this area is still known as Sydney.

Capital Gain 19/3 has a report of a 36 level tower being proposed on the Astoria site (right up near La Trobe street) on Spencer Street. No render, just an image of the site (no doubt there's an image as it's nextdoor to The Age).

The developers are the owners of the site (Segman family) and have owned the Astoria Hotel for 15 years: new development will have: 157 hotel rooms, 123 Apartments (90 of them studios) worth $35million.

Sure as shit, the development's spreading all along the Spencer Street axis:

The Station, Liberty, Neo2000, Savoy, The Age redevelopment (still haven't seen anything concrete on that) and now this.

An application for the Astoria hotel site in between the Atlantis Hotel and Mondriane at 284-294 Spencer Street was submitted in November last year. Hopefulkly it will be approved soon and the blank wall on Mondriane will be covered up sooner rather than later :-)

The Astoria Hotel is the ugly three storey brick building between Atlantis and Mondriane in this pic:
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/mne200412.jpg

oh yeah, Mondriane too :D

A couple of Mondriane shots taken today - it's slowly starting to look a bit less like a big concrete box, as long as you don't look at it from the north...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/mond19mar1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/mond19mar2.jpg

nice pics,

but......

FFS, why must all these povo-arse developers cheap out and put AC on the balconies?

gd!

as Grollo forementioned the 3L Astoria will make way for a 36L hotel-apartment tower. might reach 120m so say 20-30m higher than Mondriane. developers also own relatively new 12L Atlantis next door so the new tower shouldn't have a blank northern wall ala Mondriane, as the Atlantis will be around for a long time.

jee, Mondraine is so mundaine! lol. is it to be painted black? it looked good on renders.
its amazing what a coat of paint does.

quick one for Grollo and SS.com

Astoria Hotel tower will be 36L and a new tower at 33-35 King st is in the offing, 15L residential

Spencer Street Development Sites
http://img229.echo.cx/img229/6244/imagen33225673629sk.th.jpg (http://img229.echo.cx/my.php?image=imagen33225673629sk.jpg)

288 Spencer, Atlantis Tower, 37 levels

the horror! the horror!...

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/atlantis.jpg

...and MCC agree, they shitbagged the design. two pages of what was wrong with the tower so the final design will look nothing like this (hopefully). only 12 levels residential and most of the rest is hotel which i assume is an extension of Atlantis Hotel next door so not too much to sell prior to construction. round about 115m but MCC requested the top be redesigned so we shall see.

and on an aside what sort of dumb-ass, new age hippi, multi-coloured moron could design this, look back upon its completion and say it looks good???

it looks a bit sim city 4

Heaps better than all the drak that's Spencer St is becoming attuned to. Why shy away from a bit of colour? Oh well :dunno:

It looks like there is a 6 level podium car park!!!!!

AAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!

What is wrong with the MCC forcing them to put the car park underground?

looks very Dutch.

me likey (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=194106&page=1&pp=25) ;)

http://www.skyscrapers.nl/monti/monti4.jpg

http://www.kshs.org/cool3/graphics/clogslg.jpg

http://img176.echo.cx/img176/7366/p41200384ct.jpg

:D

Mondriane looking like a skinny beastie from the front...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/mondfront.jpg

Some work happening on the south side (and some external AC units just for tayser) :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/mondwork.jpg

And a couple of future mesothelioma patients on the roof of the power station:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/climbers.jpg

those people living at the power station should sell their stake and get some apartments developed

Yes, they do look like shrewd business people with an eye for taste.

Best thing about this little design disaster is that it will cover up that horrid HORRID pink building in mugley's first pic from the Docklands anyways. I have always hated that building and consider it one of Melbourne's worst to this day.

MG2

Best thing about this little design disaster is that it will cover up that horrid HORRID pink building in mugley's first pic from the Docklands anyways. I have always hated that building and consider it one of Melbourne's worst to this day.

MG2

I rather like the "horrid" pink building esp the japanese style roof.

No, it's definately horrid.

Eh, I rather like that building, personal taste I surpose. :)

http://img176.echo.cx/img176/7366/p41200384ct.jpg

Wouldn't mind having a few towers around the CBD at this height!!

No, it's definately horrid!!!! :eek2:

Wouldn't mind having a few towers around the CBD at this height!!

just quietly scottie, i think we already do :cool:

go bombers

Montevideo (that Rotterdam tower) is bout the same height / bulk as Verve 501.

just quietly scottie, i think we already do :cool:

go bombers

Just quietly Marky, we need some more ;)

How pathetic was Lloyd on Saturday night. If it wasn't for two piss weak umpiring decisions he would've only got three on Scarlett!! Academy award winning dive on one of them!

We blew your bombers out of the sky mate. Who gives. Only footy!

no msn scottie

all teams go through shit periods, it just that teams such as collingwood/geelong dont win flags when they're flying and teams like carlton/essndon do...i am a patient man! :cool:

and to validify the thread, Q's tower crane has been up for a year for precious little. had to take out and replace the pevious core with a new larger core but thats all done so it will accelerate now. ahh that backpackers opposite Q on Elizabeth would made a great site for a 200m mixed-use tower

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/qa200504.jpg

Cosmopolitan on Bourke and 100 Franklin are also in their early stages of demolition/construction

oops, wrong thread

neo200 update: construction is scheduled to start May 16.

The builder (LU Simon) is asking neighbouring residents for access to do apartment inspections prior to construction - anyone know what this is for?

Mugley, this is normal practice. Most developers will take photos of the outside & inside of adjacnet buildinsg prior to any building works to document the state of a building. This is done to prevent any future claims on the developer for damage that already exists. If the developer does damage the adjacnet buidlings, they will have to pay compensation.

Thanks Aussie Steve

The owners of 420 Spencer Street are having another go at getting an apartment tower approved on the site.

They proposed a 28 storey, 85m high, NFK designed tower for the site a few years ago. That proposal was approved by DSE but refused by VCAT after the City of Melbourne objected as they said it was too high and that the existing building on the land had heritage value and should not be demolished.

The new proposal is 21 storeys and 65 metres high and retains the existing heritage building. The City of Melbourne wants to impose a 4 storey height limit on the site (even though the consultants who prepared the draft controls reccomended 10 storeys). So it will be interesting to see if the new planning minister approves this tower.

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/420 spencer.jpg

The existing Art Deco building on the site:
http://www.artdeco.org.au/artdeco_buildings/spencerB.jpg

It looks a bit like a mini Concept Blue

sorry, but i'm a bit confused. where is this proposed building? on which corner of spencer street? :dunno:

It's West Melbourne.

not a bad looker really.

I like it. I think the Planning Minister should just approve this. What exactly are they trying to 'preserve' down this end of Spencer Street. It's charm and distinctive atmosphere? That whole area of the city is a dump and can only be improved by developments such as this.
Spencer Street is going to be the new 'centre of the city' in the future so a building over 4 stories (or even ten) on this site is going to happen sooner or later anyway.
That design is very 'Melbourne' BTW................

wow bit of sydney comes to melb (as in buildings being shrunk down to fat proportions)-420 spencer st. its an ok design though.
silvermb- whats that bldg UC in you recent post?

Q Apartments on Elizabeth street, an old ES&A bank.

wow that design for 420 spencer rocks!

the govt keeps on banging on that west melb (up to dudley st) will be the next southbank, i guess this tower will be the litmus test for the area. if this tower gets up, expect more to follow

thanks tays. so i think its the 13storey/40m job listed on ss.com.

http://www.reapfield.com.sg/q_apt/q_apt.jpg

cheers

Crane coming down at Market Square Condos (not the clearest shot due to zoom being maxed out)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/mscrane.jpg

wow

how long's it been with -no- CE development U/C???

...What exactly are they trying to 'preserve' down this end of Spencer Street. It's charm and distinctive atmosphere? That whole area of the city is a dump and can only be improved by developments such as this.

This little corner of west melbourne is full of old warehouses some of which are quite impressive. At the risk of being an outcast on this forum, I for one think that this area would be much better off with lower rise, say max 6-10 storeys. I know that southbank is impressive from a distance, but would you rather wander the streets of richmond or fitzroy or st kilda, or southbank - which even when full of apartment towers, still feel's as dead as it was 15 years ago at street level. There are much more appropriate areas for future high rise development in Melbourne. Some examples I can see (talking 15 years) are the other side of footscray road from Waterfront City, fisherman's bend waterfront, footscray to spotswood waterfront just to name a few.

West Melbourne/ north melbourne hill should be developed into a dense low rise village like richmond or prahran IMHO. Highrise should be concentrated on the Vic Market area, CBD or maybe over the railway land near North Melbourne station. Let's not do a sydney with the whole of inner melbourne, putting high rise here there and everywhere.

I agree - there are many areas where I don't think high-rises are appropriate, I'd much prefer a tightly packed consistent low to mid-rise precinct over a hotch-potch high-rise over there and maybe one over there precinct.

CE's Market Square condos was released in the UK around June 2003 and was, I think, the only development they released that year - an amazing switch-off after releasing a new 40-storey tower every three months or so during 2000-2002. From what I've read here the Neo200 Spencer building would appear to be directed at the same market so there are presumably still some buyers. CE have still got several development sites on Southbank.

This little corner of west melbourne is full of old warehouses some of which are quite impressive. At the risk of being an outcast on this forum, I for one think that this area would be much better off with lower rise, say max 6-10 storeys. I know that southbank is impressive from a distance, but would you rather wander the streets of richmond or fitzroy or st kilda, or southbank - which even when full of apartment towers, still feel's as dead as it was 15 years ago at street level. There are much more appropriate areas for future high rise development in Melbourne. Some examples I can see (talking 15 years) are the other side of footscray road from Waterfront City, fisherman's bend waterfront, footscray to spotswood waterfront just to name a few.

West Melbourne/ north melbourne hill should be developed into a dense low rise village like richmond or prahran IMHO. Highrise should be concentrated on the Vic Market area, CBD or maybe over the railway land near North Melbourne station. Let's not do a sydney with the whole of inner melbourne, putting high rise here there and everywhere.


interesting thoughts, i'd like to see a well planned mixture of high and low rise. from today's AFR

>> Multiplex have paid $40 million for two development blocks opposite 420 Spencer, 45000 sqm site :eek:, on the west side of Spencer st so if the new 420 Spencer gets up, who knows what'll be on this site.

Multiplex considers west Melbourne site
Nicole Lindsay
16 May 2005

Listed builder Multiplex has splashed out nearly $40 million on the purchase of a massive site on the fringe of the Melbourne CBD's burgeoning west end, according to industry sources.

Multiplex is understood to have purchased the site in West Melbourne from the low-profile Silman family in an off-market deal that was done without any agents.

The 45,000 square metre site includes six buildings and 800 car spaces at 355 Spencer Street.

It covers land the size of two city blocks on Spencer and Dudley Streets nea rFestival Hall and the city's remand centre. It also faces the Flagstaff Gardens, which boast the highest hill in Melbourne's CBD.

A Multiplex spokesman refused to confirm the purchase on Friday.

The site was once part of a neglected and run-down section of the city near the West Melbourne rail yards and the docks.

But over the past 10 years, the area has started to boom.

The nearby $8 billion Docklands project has brought huge amounts of investment into the area, pumping offices and apartments into a previously industrial precinct.

Multiplex would be well placed to do a big mixed-use development on the land but it could have trouble building a tower.

The site is across the road from the contentious 420 Spencer Street, where Melbourne architect Fender Katsalidis planned to build an 80m commercial and residential tower on the site of an old Art Deco theatre.

However, developer Paul McBain's plans for the site have been in limbo for a couple of years after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal knocked back the project on the grounds that planning policies for the area did not support the tower.

The developers and the state government had argued that a new high-rise development was an appropriate way to rejuvenate the ageing, low-rise industrial area.

The site is also down the road from The Age newspaper building at 250 Spencer Street. The Age is owned by Fairfax, which also publishes The Australian Financial Review.

After a protracted search for new office space, The Age decided last year to stay on site at Spencer Street, partly because its once-isolated location now marks the centre of the city.

The newspaper had several other locations short-listed for new, purpose-built office towers, including the Docklands and the riverfront site of the old Melbourne fish markets.

:banana:

Why is Benita Banana dancing tays? it's not encouraging news for scraper development all round.

it's not?

You have to wonder actually - it's MCC who wants to go it alone and extend the tram up Spencer Street to North Melbourne station isn't it?

http://thehoddlegrid.net/dump/docklands20026ck.jpg

some mid-rises fronting Spencer Street and higher buildings on the Docklands (rail) side couldn't hurt. I reckon this area's probably the most exciting for new development, it's literally at the crossroads of the old and new towns - especially if development occurs along that Spencer / King crescent, higher buildings at the lower end (near La Trobe street) and gradually getting smaller up towards North Melbourne.

20+ years worth of development in that whole area, and as above, it's a ripper of a place for people to experiment fusing the old and new together (maybe fusing's not the best word for it :lol: ).

$0.02

Why in the world would the Age want to remain in that slum it currently occupies as opposed to brand spanking new docklands development??

well look at the nature of the business and the current building: newsrooms are invariably massive floors with heaps of people working closely together and the current Age building is essentially a 1960s (70s?) campus.

They're redeveloping their own premises and there's room for another (large) site fronting King St.

yeah but god its an awful looking building. surely they could have had a purpose built building at the docklands and their current dilapidated dive could have been sold, ripped down and re-developed.

The North Melbourne Development Plan undertaken by the City of Melbourne states that the tram along Spencer St should be continued north to link up with North Melbourne Train Station. I think that is a project that should be done ASAP!

Mondriane early this morning - all the shade cloth and tarps have been removed from the south side...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/mondpink.jpg

They are going to paint over the bare concrete right? Nothing looks worse than exposed concrete, makes it look very cheap... very fugley, eh mugley. ;)

Painting it black has been mentioned a couple of times in this thread, hopefully it doesn't end up staying like the render on Emporis.

And building in front of the bare north wall will help a lot too.

Upgraded court to stand supreme (http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Upgraded-court-to-stand-supreme/2005/05/19/1116361673575.html)
The Age (www.theage.com.au)

By Fergus Shiel
Law Reporter
20 May 2005

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/05/19/court_supreme_wideweb__430x254.jpg
The Supreme Court complex took seven years to build.
Photo: Andrew de La

A dramatic floating glass roof above a new public galleria will be a main feature of an upgraded Supreme Court complex in William Street.

Attorney-General Rob Hulls announced the plan yesterday.

He said the 121-year-old domed building would be upgraded at an unspecified date, after community consultation.

"This is an iconic building," he said. "It has been around for 121 years and I hope that it will be around for another 121 years at least."

Mr Hull said proposals for the court included:

· A new high-security criminal division building at the rear.

· New courts, parking and prisoner holding facilities

· A new entrance off Lonsdale Street, with airport-style security screening.

· Improved access for the disabled.

Victoria's Chief Justice, Marilyn Warren, and the Law Institute expressed concern last year about the much loved stone courthouse's capacity to handle 21st century justice.

The old court poses security challenges, is spread out, fails to meet the needs of the disabled, and needs improved holding facilities for prisoners, and better computer technology.

Mr Hulls said the Government had made an initial $2.5 million investment to implement its Melbourne legal precinct master plan, which includes modernising the Supreme Court without compromising its heritage.

Located at the William Street and Lonsdale Street corner and stretching a block to Little Bourke Street, the Supreme Court is Australia's largest 19th century court complex.

Planned around a domed library, and built of Tasmanian freestone above a bluestone base, the complex took seven years to build.

The Illustrated Australian News heralded Alfred Smith's design as a "a credit to the city, and equal to any Temple of Justice in the World".

PS. I hope they are all forced to get rid of their wigs too!!!

Don't think it's had a mention here yet (probably because it's mostly out of sight and hardly an earth-shattering development), but Citipower House has a new extension/outbuilding under construction.

Apart from Melbourne Central, I can't remember the last time I saw so much wood used in a recent CBD building.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/cphext.jpg

Does anyone know what the owner of this western CBD site are planning to do with it? Its a wonder why it wasn't included with the Docklands development. When they built the flinders wharf apartments next to this site the developer had renderings showing this site as a grassy park... not suprising there have been articles in the Age about investors and legal action...

http://members.iinet.net.au/~troneast/270904%20004.jpg

Heres an old rendering of the site with what a park would look like there:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~troneast/untitled.jpg

And here's what it actually looks like:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~troneast/s1.jpg
http://members.iinet.net.au/~troneast/s2.jpg
http://members.iinet.net.au/~troneast/s3.jpg
http://members.iinet.net.au/~troneast/s4.jpg

Mind you I do like the crane... as I am aware it is there to stay along with the warehouse... both are heritage listed and I think the crane is the last remaining of its kind in Melbourne and maybe Australia.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~troneast/s5.jpg

i think they are just going to restore the shed and the crane. As JLB said, the site is heritage liated. I read ages ago some where that that was one of melbournes first wharves and is the only original wharf remain that hasn't been changed from decades ago

A Victorian Government sign has been up for around 6 months on the site, stating that a public space/reserve is to be built on the site. The sign was one of those blue and yellow numbers, giving the impression the development is being done with public money.
In terms of progress, an open air carpark on the site discontinued operation as of last Monday which I dare say means things will be moving soon.

That is great news. Another new park for Melbourne.

That old shed woudl be a great spot for a car dealership. Great exposure and great location and great building to house cars. You wouldn't want to convert it into office nor residential space as its far too noisy!

Great news indeed. I'll have to keep an eye on it. It'll be interesting to see what they do with the shed given the tight heritage controls. Any modifications have to be approved by Heritage Victoria... wonder if they would allow construction of interior walls? I checked the heritage register and it was built in 1885 and hasn't been used since 1975... geeze its old!!

Of course you can build interior walls. It would be great to remove the roller doors and replace them with glasss.

I don't think Docklands needs any car dealerships; it's not quite the right idea to be giving to inner-city dwellers is it? In fact, I say car yards should be banned from anywhere within 100m of a tramline! :lol:

Oh purlease! There are still hundreds if not thousands of cars sold every year in Australia. Using this historic building as a car dealership will give the area some life, color, light and movement. What else could the building be used for? We need to find sutable ways of reusing historic buildings, and I think my suggestion is the only one I have seen that makes sence.

Q Apartments on Elizabeth St cnr Franklin St
http://img41.echo.cx/img41/695/dsc000836rh.jpg

pretty sure Mondriane wont be painted, if it is ill eat my hat. its ready to open and in doing so architects Hayball Leonard Stent take the mantle from Span (CE's Architects) as the worst in town. remember they've delivered great precast pieces of shit such as Seasons on Swanston and Neo 200 lately - bravo.

disgraceful this can be approved
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/mne.jpg

a little more new signage around town
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/15w.jpg

hey whats wrong with exposed concrete?lol brutal maybe?
very cheap maintenance bill, piant wil just fade and peel.
i dont mind it.,then again i love concrete chimneys.
Bob Nation loves exposed concrete. he is also think of cheap maintenance. heres one he finished last year>
Alberta st
http://img187.echo.cx/img187/9656/alberta3qj.jpg

Mondriane - absolutely pathetic.

But the renders show it to be a completely different colour! That's really not on!
Can't the future apartment owners complain? I know that that didn't really work in the case of Yarra's Edge 5, but that was glass, which is not exactly easy to replace. This simply requires someone getting off their backside and painting it. The MCC should INSIST that they do this anyway! Grrrrrrrr.............

pretty sure Mondriane wont be painted, if it is ill eat my hat. its ready to open and in doing so architects Hayball Leonard Stent take the mantle from Span (CE's Architects) as the worst in town. remember they've delivered great precast pieces of shit such as Seasons on Swanston and Neo 200 lately - bravo.

disgraceful this can be approved
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/mne.jpg


Sorry, but I don't see that concrete is a problem - Republic for example, NW corner of QV with it's shiny black polished concrete. This tower, while not the most fantastic is nothing near as bad as CE - some of those towers behind the exhibition centre are painted but that doesn't hide their horrid design. This has quite a bit of style to it. I think that concrete just has to be used in a more sophisticated way - colours added may help, textures etc.

So not defending it completely, just saying that it's no central equity.

But the renders show it to be a completely different colour!
At least one render has it in plain concrete:

http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2001/01/121028.jpg

I agree, its no where near as bady as Central Equity. The concrete is fine.

It's very average but it's not THAT bad, about the same standard as the latest CE towers, which are also not so bad.

Also you have to remember that the blank northern wall will soon be covered up by the Astoria Hotel tower, it will look much better as part a wall of buildings.

I think it will end up bening painted like Gallery Tower on Southbank which is another tower by the same architect.

It is that bad. End of story. Let's hope they give graffiti artists licenses to go up there and create the biggest wall of graffiti in the world.

Named after the artist, you'd think they would have at least used his palette of colours, strong blues, reds, yellow and black.
PATHETIC I say! :down:

West Melbourne/ north melbourne hill should be developed into a dense low rise village like richmond or prahran IMHO. Highrise should be concentrated on the Vic Market area, CBD or maybe over the railway land near North Melbourne station. Let's not do a sydney with the whole of inner melbourne, putting high rise here there and everywhere. Height controls for the west
Melbourne News
June/July 2005
http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/MelbourneNews/jun-jul-05_melbnews.rtf
http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/MelbourneNews/Jun_Jul05_MelbNews.pdf

New height controls of between 14 and 40 metres will be introduced in West Melbourne in a bid to protect its character.

The new planning scheme amendment (C96) includes changes to some existing height controls, while new height controls are proposed for some areas which currently have none.

The new height controls are known as Design and Development Overlays (DDO).

The changes include:

CBD fringe area (DDO33)

amend the existing control to exclude the St James Old Cathedral area; and
a mandatory 40m height control over the remaining area.


St James Old Cathedral area (DDO56)

a mandatory 16m height control.


Laurens Street area (DDO28)

a discretionary five-storey height limit in this area, which is not currently subject to a height control.


Munster Terrace area (DDO32)

a mandatory 14m height control over this area, which is not currently subject to a height control.


General Planning Scheme Changes for the West Melbourne Mixed Use Zone

remove all DDO height controls from roads within West Melbourne.


To view the amendments visit www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

A full copy of the amendment and explanatory report is also available for viewing at the City of Melbourne, Level 6, 200 Little Collins Street, Melbourne.

To comment on the amendments send your feedback in writing to Con Livanos, Acting Manger – Development Planning, City of Melbourne, PO Box 1603, Melbourne 3000 by Friday, 24 June.

For further enquiries call the City of Melbourne Hotline on 9658 9658.

Apart from Melbourne Central, I can't remember the last time I saw so much wood used in a recent CBD building.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/mugley/cphext.jpg

Thats timber mate :carrot:

Height controls for the west
Melbourne News
June/July 2005
http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/MelbourneNews/jun-jul-05_melbnews.rtf
http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/MelbourneNews/Jun_Jul05_MelbNews.pdf

New height controls of between 14 and 40 metres will be introduced in West Melbourne in a bid to protect its character.

The new planning scheme amendment (C96) includes changes to some existing height controls, while new height controls are proposed for some areas which currently have none.

The new height controls are known as Design and Development Overlays (DDO).

The changes include:

CBD fringe area (DDO33)

amend the existing control to exclude the St James Old Cathedral area; and
a mandatory 40m height control over the remaining area.


St James Old Cathedral area (DDO56)

a mandatory 16m height control.


Laurens Street area (DDO28)

a discretionary five-storey height limit in this area, which is not currently subject to a height control.


Munster Terrace area (DDO32)

a mandatory 14m height control over this area, which is not currently subject to a height control.


General Planning Scheme Changes for the West Melbourne Mixed Use Zone

remove all DDO height controls from roads within West Melbourne.


To view the amendments visit www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

A full copy of the amendment and explanatory report is also available for viewing at the City of Melbourne, Level 6, 200 Little Collins Street, Melbourne.

To comment on the amendments send your feedback in writing to Con Livanos, Acting Manger – Development Planning, City of Melbourne, PO Box 1603, Melbourne 3000 by Friday, 24 June.

For further enquiries call the City of Melbourne Hotline on 9658 9658.

Thanks for that - good to see.

Another office building up for sale in the Market Precinct. Could we see additional floors added to this little one?
333 Queen Street (cnr La Trobe Street)
http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/CJ/CJ_21/300/CJ_21_36687_26166.jpg

http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/CJ/CJ_21/300/CJ_21_36687_26167.jpg

33-35 King Street, (cnr Flinders Lane)

Does anyone know what the plans are for this site as it has a permit for a 15 level building?
http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/KF/KF_69/300/KF_69_37877_30718.jpg

Does anyone know what the price tag for this site was and who purchased it? I hope it was the Brady Group!

9-27 Downie Street, Melbourne

http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/DTZ/DTZ_89/300/DTZ_89_41075_31985.jpg

Existing two (2) level building on a site area of 1,187 sqm approx.
Permit in place for 32 level residential tower (202 apartments)
Gateway location with excellent proximity to Docklands, Crown Casino, Southern Cross - Spencer Street Railway re-development and Aquarium
Opportunity to landbank or refurbish and redevelop existing site
Huge frontage of 48 sqm to Downie Street