The portion of South Yarra Train Station you see above is not protected at all. The original station building to the north, which is now no longer used and is a very small building is the only thing protected, so yes, this station can be demolished at any time.

At Monday's council meeting, a decision will be made about allowing a 7 storey building to be built on the south side of Toorak Rd, on the corner of William St. Its a great design and it will be very interesting to see if it gets approved!

You mean the signal box at the top of platforms 4&5?

what's likelihood of approval?

http://www.street-directory.com.au/aus_new/genmap.cgi?sizex=400&sizey=400&x=144.9932660000&y=-37.8394010000&level=6&star=1&circle=&xyfile=

reason I'm asking cos is it worth regularly checking at Prahran Town Hall? (haven't done so in a year!)

I willl let you know if there is anything exciting coming up. No need to check the Town Hall.

The old South Yarra Train Station building that is protected that I am talking about is (I think) now occupied by a bakery to the west of the station fronting Toorak Rd.

Goodo, A. Steve a.k.a. Stonnington-snitch to the rescue :lol:

station street or william street? eh? there are two proposals? or?

sports-aquatic centre, wonder wtf all the towers will support

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/sac 200501.jpg

hehee i saw them a while ago and i was like wtf?

mabye they need them to level the roof????

The towers are there to temporarily support the new roof structure. They will all be removed once the roof is up.

A 7 storey apartment buidling was approved last night by the Stonnington City Council for Toorak Rd.

There is a small Heritage Overlay on the South Yarra Train Station. But that may not be bad news, as I think development may be encouraged.

Address: 200 Ballarat Road, Footscray, Melbourne

Tenders close: 15 December 2004, 3.00pm, Offices of Knight Frank (Vic) Pty Ltd


Permit for student accommodation
Site area: 1,168 square metres approx
117 apartments
Includes four retail shops
VUT student population 11,000 plus

http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/KF/KF_69/300/KF_69_34760_23863.jpg

Plenty of more scope for highrise along the north side of Ballarat Rd between Gordon St & VUT! Look at allllll those factories that are right in the middle of an inner city residential area!

http://img182.exs.cx/img182/1018/footscray6rq.jpg

that is the Kinnear string factory which is currently unoccupied and undergoing planning / rezoning

sports-aquatic centre, wonder wtf all the towers will support

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/sac 200501.jpg

I know it's a delayed response but wgaf?

When we rebuilt Lang Park, most of the structural steel was temporarily supported by favco towers, until it was all tied in.

Remember the bungee jump on the hume hwy at Somerton where coates is ????, that was favco towers with a stair case fabricated to fit around it. Go for a drive and you will see the stairs are all still there in the paddock.

if you see it now its reminds me of SSS

i think the towers are for the outdoor roofing system.

First crane being assembled at the Becton studen accomm. in Carlton today it's a hammerhead type.
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/03/16/17BECTON,0.jpg

like the man said, a new Camasil for Verticon (aka Econ) at College Square

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/eco200503.jpg

the advancement of Swanston st has been rapid, everything up the right flank to top of pic has been built within the last three years (although only a handful have any merit)
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/eco2005031.jpg

Apartment glut key to Como rethink
Maurice Dunlevy
March 24, 2005

AUSTRALAND is understood to have pulled the plug on plans to build 718 apartments at its high-profile Como development site as oversupply still plagues the Melbourne unit market.

It follows Australand's announcement last week that it would not proceed with the $203million Kent Brewery site acquisition in Sydney, a long-term apartment project that would have eventually housed 8000 people.
The listed developer, which yesterday declined to comment on the future of the 1.5ha Como property, is now expected to find a buyer for the land, which has defied past development attempts by some big names, including Lloyd Williams and the Myer family.

Purchased from Lloyd Williams's Hudson Conway for $14.4 million in late 2001, the land is now believed to be worth around $23million.
Australand has spent more than $1 million building a display suite at the site, where it planned to develop five separate apartment buildings most of them one-bedroom units costing up to $400,000, and most aimed at the investor market. Plans lodged with Stonnington Council include 2053sqm of retail space, a 200-seat cafe-restaurant fronting Chapel Street, 11 business suites and car parking for more than 870 vehicles.
Development costs, according to the council, would be more than $90 million. The site is part of the original Como site, which the late Jack Chia planned to link to the Yarra River with a Venice-like canal.

An Australand spokeswoman yesterday declined to comment, but if a mooted land sale goes ahead the South Yarra parcel will be the second Melbourne apartment site to be sold by the developer this year. In January, the Australand Property Group sold a Hawthorn site to Leighton Properties for $16.5 million after shelving plans to build 87 townhouses.
Expected to sell for up to $23million, the Como site was part of the original Chia landholding sold to Westpac-controlled finance company AGC for $16 million in the late 1980s.
The entire site was onsold to Royalmist, a consortium of Malaysian and Singaporean investors with links to the Myer family, for about $70 million in 1994.

Renaissance Assets, the Malaysian owners of Melbourne's then St Kilda Road Sebel Hotel, wanted to build a budget hotel on the site in the late 1990s, but after those plans fell through the property was bought by Hudson Conway in 2001 for around $12 million.
Australand paid $14.4 million for the property - which came with planning approval for a $150 million, 40,000sqm commercial office development - less than a year later.

Wanting to cash in on the then booming apartment market, Australand first considered a 50-50 commercial-residential project, but later changed those plans to a full apartment building.
The Como project is small compared with last week's aborted $203million purchase of Sydney's Kent Brewery apartment site by Australand. The company has a thriving Victorian house and land business, but has struggled with a half-dozen mainly inner-suburban apartment projects, the largest of which is the $450 million Freshwater Place project involving around 500 apartments. Australand has previously flagged a pullback from the apartment market.

In February, announcing a strong full year result to December 2004, Australand said the pre-tax profit of its apartment division was down 66 per cent on 2003, to $16 million. Managing director Brendan Crotty said the company would not launch any new investor apartment projects this calendar year.

Australand have gone to VCAT for ammendments to their planning permit. I don't think they will sell this site and move on. There is still plenty of demand in South Yarra for new apartments.

Does anybody know what is going on at the massive CUB site (Swanson and Victoria sts)???? I heard there were once big projects slated for the site but what is a happening to the site after RMIT's financial woes and the downturn in apartment building?

The VCAT hearing for the Australand site in Chapel St South Yarra has been put on hold :(

Some of you may have been wondering what is being built near South Yarra Train Station, well here it is:

10 Yarra St (http://www.10yarrastreet.com.au)
http://www.10yarrastreet.com.au/images/home-header.gif
http://www.10yarrastreet.com.au/images/home-content.gifhttp://www.10yarrastreet.com.au/images/home-hero.jpg

Yah, saw that yesterday and wondered wtf it was!

gd, I wish they'd hurry up and fill those massive holes right next to the station :(

know of any word on SXY A. steve?

The Forrest Hill Structure Plan is being developed as we speak. Should be ready by the end of the year. Interum controls have been requested, but nothing as yet. Nothing too exciting, max 12 stories on large sites.

Silver, notice the Econ hammerhead now has Verticon badging, maybe after Verve ey????, when we commented that it didn't have it and it seemed queer!

riviera richmond
replace a factory with a residential that looks like ... another factory
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/rva200410.jpg

Getting close, last crane, (The white one) came down over the weekend.

Hows the A\frame on the converted 1500,with all that steel looks like a 900m's only smaller.Mindyou they both look like old clunkers. :)

Big A Frame steel wise is #204, 1st 1500 built (Ex BH) and the A frame takes 4 hours to build (and goes 12.2t) if it has to come apart. (Depending on transport, tram lines etc.) Other one is #240. Both clunkers as stated but still lift and go round and round, like #008!

http://www.thecollectormm.com/private/RoyalWomHospital.jpg
Extracts from Melbourne Yarra Leader
By Maria Bervanakis

Women’s to soar in $250m shift

Stage one works on the new $250 million Royal Women’s Hospital will begin this month (April), heralding another era in healthcare for Victorian women.

The Charles Connibere building at the Royal Melbourne Hospital will be demolished this month to make way for the new hospital at the corner of Grattan St and Flemington Rd, Carlton.

The 64-year-old building was used for nurse’s accommodation until the 1990s, when it became office space for hospital administration staff. Those staff were shifted into a new $42 million Hospital extension last year and the building is now unused.

To open in mid-2008, the new Royal Women’s will soar eight floors above ground and have one lower-ground level and a 945-space underground carpark.

The Royal Women’s Hospital will continue to operate in Grattan St, Carlton, until the new building opens.

The private Frances Perry House will also shift to the new hospital.

Premier Steve Bracks announced last Monday that the successful builder was the Royal Women’s Health Partnership consortium, comprising project sponsor Bilfinger Berger, builder Baulderstone Hornibrook, financier Macquarie Bank and architects DWI.

The hospital will remain publicly operated but the private consortium will design, build, finance and maintain it for the next 25 years.

http://www.thecollectormm.com/gallery/postcards/1920s-1980s/slides/RMH.jpg
The Charles Connibere building that is to be demolished is the building on the left of this postcard.

Great news. I wonder what they will do with the old Carlton site, especially considering the new Dental Hospital is on the same site. Maybe they will move the Eye & Ear Hospital there in new buildings! Then at least they can redevelop the Eye & Ear Hospital site into apartments etc.

yeah that old Royal Women's building (go back a page, one of silvermb's pics looking up Swanston Street has it) could make some nice apartments for the upper end of the market, think of the height of the ceilings!

Wasn't sure were to put this so here it is:

Replace port with houses, Mayor says
By Royce Millar, City Editor, May 2, 2005

Extending Docklands and linking freeways are among John So's visions for Melbourne.

Lord Mayor John So has called for the Port of Melbourne to eventually make way for housing, and for residential development to extend along the Yarra River from Docklands to the bay.

While backing the State Government's channel-deepening project as "crucial to Melbourne's competitive edge", Cr So called on it to start planning to turn the port, including Swanson Dock and Coode Island, over to housing. "In time it would be good to extend Docklands all the way to the bay," he said.

The debate about channel deepening has suggested that Western Port, near Hastings, will replace the Port of Melbourne as Victoria's main port. Cr So said the Government should start planning for this possibility.

In a wide-ranging interview ahead of a major statement on his vision for Melbourne this month, Cr So also:

· Acknowledged he was keen on a third term as lord mayor from 2008.

· Called for the linking of the Eastern Freeway to the Tullamarine and Monash freeways.

· Renewed his campaign to deck the Jolimont railyards.

· Admitted to being a swinging voter who had supported the Liberals and Labor.

Cr So said the Government needed to find new housing sites to realise its plan to house 1 million extra Melburnians.

Cr So, who won the November Town Hall election, said he would run again in 2008 if his health held up, he still had something to contribute and he still had the people's support.

But fellow councillor Peter Clarke said Cr So was getting ahead of himself. "We're only five months into this term. It's premature to be considering any subsequent periods."

Cr So has also angered councillors with his call for freeway links. He supported connecting the Eastern and Tullamarine freeways through Royal Park and the Eastern and Monash along Hoddle Street, but would not say whether they should be underground or above.

He said plans should include more public transport and possibly a congestion levy. "You can't ignore the fact that the roads in inner Melbourne were built 100 years ago to serve a much smaller city," he said.

Greens Councillor Fraser Brindley said the freeways proposal was against council policy. "The Lord Mayor is on a tangent to the rest of the council."

A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said linking freeways was "not on the Government agenda".

· Melbourne City Council is likely to formally back the Government's channel-deepening project tomorrow night.

Ah Cr. So.

you idiot.

Well Tays I know you luv your metcard and sleep with it under your pillow, is that why your think So's so-so, 'cos he said link the friggin freeways. Dunno about the port thing, one half of a good idea I suppose. Those freeways need to be linked in my lifetime, not my kids.

Those freeways need to be linked in my lifetime, not my kids.
Despite ruining several neighbourhoods to make it slightly quicker for a very small number of commuters>

:cool:

On a walk down Darling Street in SY I noticed that they're beefing that area up even more with another ~5 level building (judging by the exposed lift shaft that stuck out like dog's nuts).

Anyone else ever done an audit/count of little (non-detached housing) projects in the area - such as those warehouse conversions next to Richmond station (projects that wouldn't normally rate on the radar due to the 12L / ss.com factor)? There's bound to be a fair few, no?

thanks for the info collector. alot of health projects on the go with a new Childrens/Womens hospitals and an as yet unannounced expansion of Royal Melbourne. hopefully some of the new Royal Melb turns out like the newly completed expansion - nice meld of old and new

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/rmx 200505.jpg

Alfred Centre, two crane bases for a four level building???

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/alf 200505.jpg

Great pics once again silvermb!!

BTW The last 2 pic posts of the foundation works are in regard to The Alfred Centre. Any renders for this @ this stage?

To any Melburnian's knowledge, is NKYA Apartments aka The Cheese Grater @ Richmond now defunct?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/379nkyarender1.jpg

Also in South Yarra, The The Fun Factory office/retail & apartement complex is still going ahead? Below scan from The Herald Sun, Tues, Dec 25, 2001:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/379funfactory2.jpg

^ BTW according to emporis.com, its status still just shows approved.

....

alfred centre

http://www.bh.com.au/images/projects/65ProjectsSlide.jpg

3 additional levels will be added either during construction or at a later stage. like i said two cranes for four levels seems excessive - but what do i know.

fun factory is up to the developer to launch and nkya is dormant you might say

NKYA has been put on hold due to lack of interest. No action yet on the Fun Factory site, but Australand are about to walk away from South Yarra :(

To any Melburnian's knowledge, is NKYA Apartments aka The Cheese Grater @ Richmond now defunct?

NKYA was supposed to go up in Fitzroy (between Napier, Kerr, Young and Argyle streets)

Last bit of info I saw on it was here: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/26/1085461833640.html

bit of an update

Caelli have a crane up for St Hilliers at the Botanicca development in Richmond. Caelli also have a crane up in Abbotsford for the Yarra Falls resi precinct. Era Richmond and SXY South Yarra are both being demolished so constriuuction will follow there after.

NKYA has been put on hold due to lack of interest. No action yet on the Fun Factory site, but Australand are about to walk away from South Yarra :(
Ah yeah, thanks. Now I remember. It was @ the same time when Australand gave the media release that it was (supposedly) walking away from the Kent Brewery site (syd)... :|

Thanks mugley for the link.

So that's the Alfred Centre http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/warped.gif

Apartments cut in new Smith St plan (http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Apartments-cut-in-new-Smith-St-plan/2005/05/20/1116533540438.html)
The Age (www.theage.com.au)
By Martin Boulton
21 May 2005

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/05/21/21n_development_wideweb__430x89.jpg
Smith Street as it might have been. Almost 100 apartments, most of then planned as student accommodation, have been erased for the new bid.
Photo: Supplied

Almost 100 apartments, mostly student accommodation, have been erased from a development plan in Collingwood to try to win approval from the state's planning tribunal.

The developer, Banco, has applied to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to substitute its original Smith Street plan with the new one.

The earlier plan for the site between Peel and Stanley streets was rejected by the Yarra Council.

Banco director Mario Lo Giudice said the revised plan was a response to issues raised at meetings between the company, the council and the Collingwood Action Group.

Under the new plan, the number of apartments has been cut from 253 to 157, commercial office space has increased and the space occupied by a proposed 24-hour supermarket has shrunk.

Building heights along Smith Street, which so outraged residents and traders last year, have been reduced.

The company's first plan attracted at least 1500 objections, the most ever lodged with Yarra Council against a single application, and last year led to an independent report on urban redevelopment.

Fourteen academics contributed to the report, which editor and Melbourne University architectural historian Miles Lewis said highlighted traffic and urban design problems with the Smith Street plan and exposed what he called serious flaws in Melbourne 2030 - the Government's strategy for housing up to a million extra people in Melbourne by 2030.

some Carlton/Parkville projects that will start construction in the next few months

Royal Womens new images - a little bland but hey its public money. big Sergi crawler onsite, demolition in progress
http://www.woodhead.com.au/images/1261/Royal1.jpg

http://www.woodhead.com.au/images/1263/Royal3.jpg

http://www.woodhead.com.au/images/1264/Royal4.jpg

Blue Earth House, 100 Leicester st. looks sleek, 10L office
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/beh.jpg

Degree apartments
http://www.johnhopkins.com.au/images/prop_rec/circ_degree.gif

also Hansen Yuncken will build the Monash Uni expansion on Royal Parade and there are approved plans for two student accomodation towers in Leicester st as well. so a handful of cranes due to spring up in Carlton. i could also tell you who bought the CUB site but hey that would be too easy :cool:

perfect height and form for that area.

before MCC? proposed? approved?

http://www.street-directory.com.au/aus_new/genmap.cgi?sizex=600&sizey=600&x=144.9606620000&y=-37.8036760000&level=6&star=1&circle=&xyfile=

Mercy Hospital redev. 54m

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/mercy2.jpg

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/mercy1.jpg

They can't demolish the existing Mercy Hospital! :(

http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-tmp/rt35349-19869.jpg

^^^Mercy Private above.
That stays!
It's the Mercy Hospital for Women with the Clarendon street frontage that is being redeveloped. :)

what is the height of the lower tower?

The Mercy Hospital redevelopment will be another tough call for the minister. The city of Melbourne want new height limits of 17m for the site of the taller proposed tower and only 14m for the site of the shorter proposed tower. That is despite the fact that the existing Mercy Hospital is 52m high!!!

I think we should maintain the height of the existing buildings. There is no need to go higher nor lower. We are all use to the height now, so lets move on......

39m for lower tower i'd say

After looking at silvermb’s renders for the Mercy Hospital buildings, I’ve noticed that the developers seem to be interested in a minimal change to the outside of both the Mercy Hospital for Woman and the St Francis building.
Cladding and very little else.
I’m assuming they are taking this course to keep the existing heights of the buildings.
If they demolished the buildings they’d have a lot of difficulty getting permission for similar heights now.

Isn't the St Francis building getting four floors added on top?

Isn't the St Francis building getting four floors added on top?
It appears that way but, the extra 4 floors in the render already exist in horrible brown brick (past extension) if my memory serves me well.

Display makes way for tower of length[/ulr]
[url=www.theage.com.au]The Age (http://www.theage.com.au/news/FullDisclosure/Display-makes-way-for-tower-of-length/2005/06/06/1117910242136.html)
7 June 2005

When property developer the Becton Group needed a display suite to hawk its controversial 10-storey residential tower at the rear of St Kilda's Esplanade Hotel, it went all out to impress.

It spent a whopping $1.5 million to build arguably the most expensive display suite in the city, including inviting renowned architect Claudio Silvestrin to design it. But last week, it all came down.

Although the original idea was to sell it off, the unit, which sat above the former Espy drive-in bottle shop, has been razed to make way for the tower.

Much of it, including some very expensive fittings, has been left on the scrap heap.

"The tiles were from Italy," lamented a Becton spokeswoman. "We did try, but there was no way of saving it. It would have cost $80,000 to move it and the feasibility wasn't there to set it up again."

The site has had more than its share of controversy, with a long-winded fight between community activists protesting against Becton's original plans to demolish the Espy and build a 35-level tower. Public sentiment prevailed and the pub was given heritage listing, while the tower height was reduced. But Becton was allowed to demolish buildings at the rear.

Apparently there is still one penthouse available, for anyone with a spare $4 million

Fun Factory Site

A permit for the development of the Fun Factory site on the northwest corner of Toorak & Chapel Sts, South Yarra will expire on 6 September 2008. I think the current development is for a 25 storey mixed (office/hotel/apartment) tower.

Australand site on Chapel St, South Yarra

Stonnington City Council approved plans for the redevelopment of the Australand site last night. The development is all residential woith ground floor retail onto Chaple St.

Buildings C, D & E fronting River Street are approx 14 levels (inc ground floor) ~RL 48.4
Three attached residential buildings with 11 business suites (offices) at ground level.
Comprising a total of 372 apartments as follows:
- 243 one bedroom
- 45 one bedroom plus study & 60 two bedroom
- 12 two bedroom plus study & 6 three bedroom
- 6 three bedroom plus study;

Building B on Malcolm St is approx 14 levels (inc ground floor) RL 48.4
Including grocery store at ground level
Comprising a totle of 117 apartments as follows:
- 59 one bedroom
- 14 one bedroom plus study & 44 two bedroom

Building A on Chapel St is approx 16 levels (inc ground floor) RL ~55.6
Including two levels of retail (at ground and level 1)
Comprising a total of 229 apartments as follows:
- 172 one bedroom
- 16 two bedroom
- 17 two bedroom plus study & 22 three bedroom
- 2 three bedroom plus study

Doesn't sound very different to what was previously approved. Any idea if they are actually going ahead with it or are they just fixing a few things on the planning permit before they sell the property?

Building A was reduced by 2 levels last night at council. I suspect that the developer wants to sell the site off with a valid permit. Its a shame, cos its a great development that I hope proceeds.

AFR

Smart buildings in demand
Bill Pheasant
9 June 2005

The mini-boom in high-technology buildings in Victoria is set to continue, with the opening yesterday of the $104 million Bio21 Institute in Parkville and plans for more "smart" buildings at Monash University.

Victorian Innovation Minister John Brumby also revealed he was working with Health Minister Bronwyn Pike on plans to further centralise health infrastructure in the Parkville area, north of Melbourne's CBD.

The Royal Women's Hospital and Royal Children's Hospital are to be rebuilt on sites adjacent to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the University of Melbourne.

"We are working on a new plan, a Parkville Precinct plan [Ms] Pike and I and the Parliamentary Secretary, Matt Viney and we hope to bring that plan together later in the year," Mr Brumby said yesterday.

The Victorian Liberal Party's 2004 election platform included a plan to co-locate the Peter McCallum Cancer Institute with the three teaching hospitals in Parkville.

Baulderstone Hornibrook, with facility manager Bilfinger Berger, financiers Macquarie Bank and architects DWI, beat the competition for the 25-year concession to redevelop and operate the new Royal Women's Hospital using a public-private partnership.

Baulderstone Hornibrook, with architects Design Inc, was also behind the Bio21 construction, a 22,000 square metre laboratory-based centre that will house 450 researchers when fully operational next year.

The Bio21 Institute is the University of Melbourne's contribution to a collaboration with the Royal Melbourne Hospital and a host of research institutes including the Howard Florey Institute, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Neuroscience Victoria and several CSIRO departments.

The new flagship research centre aims to develop multi-disciplinary teams to find potential "blockbuster" drugs and make breakthroughs in public health in areas such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer and malaria.

Monash University's STRIP building is part of a $400 million redevelopment of the Clayton campus in Melbourne's south-east.

With the $205 million synchroton a powerful light source the size of a football field due to begin operations from 2007, Monash is accelerating plans for its next building to house researchers and drug development companies, which are expected to use the new technology instrument. Tenders will be called late this year, with construction due to begin in 2006.

Bio was a good job and a high quality building. Bauldies do a very good job of these kinds of facilities, they are so NOT high rise apartments.

Baulderstone currently doing Alfred, some jails, Womens, and just finished GMH HQ @ Pt Melb and Bio @ Parkville. We would be lucky if all the builders getting around town were comparable to Baulderstone Hornibrook.

Santorini Apartments
3-7A Alma Road, St Kilda
Completed April 2004
http://www.hansenyuncken.com.au/files/ALMA%20ELEVATION2.jpg
http://www.hansenyuncken.com.au/files/IMGP0320.JPG

K2 Sustainable Housing
Punt Rd, Windsor
Schedule for completion September 2006
http://www.hansenyuncken.com.au/files/K2%20perspective%2072.JPG

Monash University College of Pharmacy
Parkville
Schedule for completion September 2006
http://www.hansenyuncken.com.au/files/Front%203D%20small%2072.jpg

Monash University Urban Plan 2003
Lyons undertook a detailed Facilities Masterplan for the University’s Caulfield Campus

http://www.lyonsarch.com.au/projects/m/m02/larges/M02-01.jpg

http://www.lyonsarch.com.au/projects/m/m02/larges/M02-03.jpg

http://www.lyonsarch.com.au/projects/m/m02/larges/M02-02.jpg

http://www.lyonsarch.com.au/projects/m/m02/larges/M02-04.jpg

yeah posted that a few months back.

a couple of the shops in Caulfield Plaza have turned uber-skank, hurry up Monash, demolish the monstrosity!

lol at "uber-skank". This is a huge undertaking though, they will consider for some time.

Stu

Just a new pic of SXY
http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/CBRE/CBRE_61/300/CBRE_61_42661_33773.jpg

How is SXY? i've seen priliminary work being done on it. theres been a catapiller crane destroying the old building slowly.

Also Monash uni carpack crane has gone, it went a few days back, on the way to school i noticed two cranes, on the way back, none :P

Just a new pic of SXY
http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/CBRE/CBRE_61/300/CBRE_61_42661_33773.jpg

Where's the tower gone?!

http://thehoddlegrid.net/dump/sxy1.jpg

:)

right behind it tays where its always been, six level serviced apartment complex facing clarement is part of the design.

drunkill, the monash uni carpark crane went a few months ago, a certain someone told me that the academic building crane would come down tomorrow, so is it still there or gone?

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/bidder-plans-glass-circus/2005/06/24/1119321904312.html

Bidder plans 'glass circus'
By Jewel Topsfield
June 25, 2005

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/06/24/25LUNA_ARTIST_wideweb__430x226.jpg

The structure could rival Sydney Opera House's iconic status. *wank wank* get over it

Six giant glass "circus tents" would be built on the triangle site in St Kilda under an ambitious plan to make the bayside suburb as famous for its architecture as Bilbao in Spain.

This is one of 15 visions submitted to Port Phillip Council for the redevelopment of the prime foreshore site, now home to the art deco Palais Theatre, the Palace Entertainment Complex and a car park.

The circus proposal, known as "St Kilda Circ", has been submitted by a consortium including Fitzroy Street design firm Igloo and architect Rick Davis, a director of the firm Decently Exposed. The consortium hopes to join forces with a developer.

Under its plan, the heritage-listed Palais Theatre would remain on the site but the Palace Entertainment Complex and car park would be demolished and replaced with six circus-style tents. The tents, which would face the beach, would feature glass entrances that mimicked rippling water and steel spines to represent St Kilda's palm trees.

"We wanted buildings we could call 'arti-tecture' - which were more about art than anything else," Mr Davis said.

His influences included Picasso, architects Frank Gehry and Oscar Nyemeyer, and the sculptural Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre in New Caledonia.

Mr Davis said the tents would be two to five storeys high and would contain shops, cinemas, theatres, live music venues, restaurants, bars and museums. A hotel would be built at the rear of the Palais Theatre. Terraced steps from The Esplanade leading to a public piazza would form an amphitheatre where people could sit and listen to buskers.

"I am a child of St Kilda in the real sense of the word, I was born in Acland Street," Mr Davis said. "Over the years that I have lived there, St Kilda has been an amazing circus of events, a circus of situations and people, and hopefully that will never change."

Igloo creative director Andrew Englisch, who fiercely campaigned against a Burger King being built on Fitzroy Street several years ago, said he was committed to fighting the homogenisation of St Kilda.

"Given some of the concerns about the gentrification of the area, our aim is to be involved in a proposal which captures the essence of St Kilda," Mr Englisch said. He said St Kilda Circ would be an iconic architectural space, comparable with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Opera House in Sydney and Federation Square.

Several developers have also lodged expressions of interest in the site, including a consortium involving trucking tycoon Lindsay Fox, which this week bought the adjacent Luna Park. Mirvac, MAB Corporation and Macquarie Bank have also lodged plans and developer Andrew Rettig has joined local hospitality entrepreneur John van Haandel in a proposal that would include a multi-cinema complex operated by Village Roadshow.

Walt Disney Corporation is believed to have expressed interest and the Palace Entertainment Complex owners have also lodged a bid in an attempt to save the popular live music venue from the wrecker's ball.

The Age believes that architectural firms including Wood Marsh and Ashton Raggatt McDougall are involved with some of the consortiums.

The council has imposed stringent guidelines for the site, including new public open space and the Palais Theatre's refurbishment.

The council ruled out residential development and said the precinct's "St Kilda-ness" must be enhanced.

Expressions of interest will be shortlisted next month and the successful tenderer chosen next year.

Melbourne's little Italy gets bigger as work starts on Piazza Italia

Thursday, 23 June 2005

Work is beginning on Melbourne’s newest public open space, the $3.5 million Piazza Italia at Argyle Square on Lygon St, Carlton.

Piazza Italia will redevelop the Eastern end of Argyle Square with new landscaping, paving, trees and a giant 45 m2 Solar Clock that will delight Melburnians for generations to come.

The Lord Mayor John So said the Piazza will be a wonderful addition to Melbourne’s famous Italian precinct.

“For generations, Argyle Square has been a place where city residents, workers and visitors have stopped to soak up the atmosphere of Lygon St, eat gelati and catch up with friends and family,” the Lord Mayor said.

“The design of the Piazza will allow this tradition to continue, while also opening up the northern part of the square to transform the former Carlton Bowling Club area into a bustling, versatile, contemporary piazza.”

“The proposed design is intended to create a place to meet and linger. There will be plenty of places to sit, relax, enjoy the sun or the shade, and watch the passing parade,” he said.

"The proposed design, including the fascinating solar clock, will be an enduring reminder of the wonderful influence of Italian culture and the Italian community has on our city, and the thriving Melbourne - Milan Sister City Relationship."

“The Piazza is intended to celebrate the benefits that Italian culture has brought to Melbourne. These themes are played out on a variety of levels through the involvement of the community in the design, by using traditional Italian skills and materials and, then sharing that knowledge with local artisans,” he said.

Piazza Italia is expected to be finished in time for the gelati season in December this year.

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=228&pg=715&st=400

I swear if faux Classical columns go up in that square I'm going to personally take to them with a sledgehammer.

All respect to the Italians, but it's Melbourne...you know Australia...and last time I checked it was the 21st century. So what about some contemporary Australian design with contemporary Australian skill and materials. Grrrr!

*...comes back for second bite of cherry (having still not seen the plans)...*

I mean nothing in Lygon St (no building, streetscape etc) references Italy at the moment so this mofo is going to stick out like a pollice irritato no matter what they do. Double grrrr!

*...finally clicks link and sees the render...*

Right, where's my sledgehammer?

I think the style will be Modern Italian rather than Italian immigrant in Australia style. None of the renders or plans show faux Classical columns or anything like that.

right idea wrong place....

new royal womens site
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/rwo200507.jpg

anyone able to name the site, favco?

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/sa200507.jpg

one big hungry mofo excavator hey smb?? been driving past every day on my way to CGV just up the road. 'bout time they got a real crane here too hey?

PS, nah, i told you I stay away from that stuff now, I get a blood nose climbing into a Dyna. Looks like Carlton/Collingwood but no inside mail. Give us a hint! :)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/andrewpert/P5150037.jpg

This has now been levelled which suggests that a start on the ERA Richmond (http://www.erarichmond.com.au) project in the shadow of the Nylex Clock in Cremorne may not be far off. Great looking building but strange location in my opinion.

three towers have come off Mackie's crane on Hallmark and are making their way here along with the rest of the crane soon enough. looks like an expansion of St Vincents on Vic Parade. seems to be alot of health related projects on the go

plenty of time for real cranes at CGV once the games are over and the numerous resi towers get going

Hallmark crane was going to be pulled down last weekend, I drove past and saw Sergi's 200t and a franna there, but the moisture levels must have prevented it from happening 'cause it was fair pissing down, i got sent home from CGV pre smoko. Old Mackie's are going ok with their one and only banger, it has been busy ever since they payed the large ones for it, Alfred car park, Hallmark and now ^.

Will be plenty of work at Parkville post games, both resi towers and converting crammed in hormone over-abundance athlete accom. into real houses.

so this is whats happening to Australand's site? looks like they develop half and sell half

http://www.teskacarson.com.au/Pictures/Full/Chapel%20St%20670%20(Lot%20S2)%20Sth%20Yarra%20-%20brochure%20pic.jpg

Street: 670 Chapel Street
Suburb: South Yarra
Description: For Sale by Expressions of Interest
Sizesq.m:6252
Description: Substantial mixed use site with unique development potential, located in established & prestigious inner city pocket of Melbourne.

Been keeping a eye out at SXY at South Yarra station the past few days, the old Tetly tea building is slowly being demolished. The prefab office block is externally compete, and thats about 4-5 floors.

About SXY, has anyone got any details about it? all i know is that the site is being cleared away, and ready for use.

I noticed that a crane is about to be erected at 93-97 Victoria Parade, a building site in Fitzroy.
It looks like silvermb's St Vincent's extension is about to start or is it an extension of the Australian Catholic University next door?

a step up for CE or what?

http://www.centralequity.com.au/projects/msc/msc_con.jpg

^^ Definitely have been improving the look of their buildings.
It's a pity they have left behind such a dreadful legacy. :ohno:

www.iqapartments.com.au

8L Student accom in a dense area, more like this MCC!!! (but less student accom :D)

'cuse blur.

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/4216/102484216ml1118968440.jpg

website has better renders / views.

__________________

this has been posted before, but I remember looking at this site and seeing something like this (in my head :D), more more more.

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9095/101579095ml1085619681.jpg

so this is whats happening to Australand's site? looks like they develop half and sell half

http://www.teskacarson.com.au/Pictures/Full/Chapel%20St%20670%20(Lot%20S2)%20Sth%20Yarra%20-%20brochure%20pic.jpg
I think Australand are going to leave Victoria quick smart, because the unions have too much control in this state and the cost of building in Victoria is so much more expensive then it is in NSW. I think that is one reason why they are selling 1/2 their South Yarra site.

I think Australand are going to leave Victoria quick smart, because the unions have too much control in this state and the cost of building in Victoria is so much more expensive then it is in NSW. I think that is one reason why they are selling 1/2 their South Yarra site.

after both fwp's and cgv, you think victorian unions are news to Australand??????

Rene Descartes said "I think, therefore I am."

Australand should be (we all ready know this) well aware of this by now.

I think Australand are going to leave Victoria quick smart, because the unions have too much control in this state and the cost of building in Victoria is so much more expensive then it is in NSW. I think that is one reason why they are selling 1/2 their South Yarra site.

Australand also recently sold the entire Kent Brewery site in NSW. They are selling out of Sydney and Melbourne because of the current state of the apartment market in both cities.

Same reason Central Equity have stopped building apartments, nothing to do with unions.

ooooh - blabby LIKES that st kilda circ proposal!!! :D :D :D yes yes yes!!! :D :D :D more more more!!! :D :D :D

hope that goes ahead - now can we have more of that please? preferably in shades of grey or black or gleaming titanium/gold leaf. muahahahahahaha!!!

hey that royal womens hospital in half-demolished mode looks like it could be a great piece of arTI-tecture! :hahano:
was it archibomber who said that as a uni project he was doing a stadium that looked like it was collapsing? why don't you post it? hehe

this has been posted before, but I remember looking at this site and seeing something like this (in my head :D), more more more.

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9095/101579095ml1085619681.jpg

This is a quality building, design as well as construction, especially compared to its mate 2 doors up the street. There is a car elevator built in that pumps the cars up and down on a big ram.

I just like the way it fits the site, no setbacks, something decent to look at at street level and what it does for the area: brings more people in.

I'd be happy with one of those corner balconies 3 or 4 levels up, morning sun, less afternoon sun and a hell of a money shot of the CBD :lol:

Mercy apartment plan (http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/mercy-apartment-plan/2005/09/05/1125772465094.html)
The Age (www.theage.com.au)
By Aileen Keenan
Property Editor
6 September 2005

PROMOTERS of a redevelopment of the prized former Mercy Hospital site in East Melbourne are likening the views on offer to apartments surrounding New York's Central Park.

Planning Minister Rob Hulls has approved turning the 11-storey Clarendon Street building into 221 apartments, including four multimillion-dollar penthouse pads.

Dan Magree, a director of M3 Property, which is overseeing the sale of the site on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy, says the apartments, many of which will have views to the city over Fitzroy Gardens, may become the most expensive in Melbourne. "They would have a Central Park feel, and distant views of the bay," he said.

The redevelopment would also include 36 medical suites, a restaurant and parking for 315 cars.

The shortlist of companies keen to develop the site is believed to include Stockland, Mirvac, Multiplex, Grocon, Salta and Australian Super Developments. Mr Magree said tenders were to be submitted by the middle of this month, with a decision expected by the end of next month.

The Sisters of Mercy were keen to develop an aged-care centre on the site, and the tender process required the shortlisted companies to put in two applications, one of them including a 120-bed aged-care centre.

Mr Magree said redevelopment was complicated by the shared infrastructure between the Mercy public and private hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Freemasons have restated a desire for the neighbouring Clarendon Street Freemasons Hospital to be sold as a going concern. Freemasons Victoria's chief executive, Barry Reaper, said its shortlist included only hospital operators.

I'm currently heading 3d building design and modelling at my part time work whilst studying construction, and things are looking good. I'm using autocad and sketchup.

My question is though, what programs would be used to create the above render? Something like Revit/Viz/Photoshop?

Viz is a cut down architectural version of 3ds max which has a much better renderer. Looking at the uninspired glass in that render I would say that it is probably Viz, or someone was lazy with 3ds max. And of course Photoshopped to within an inch of its life.

Tays, we all would like the balcony appt. For all the reasons you said, plus the cool car spot. But you would be able to rent your car spot out, subsidise your rent???? Are you still out in the trees???

I would do that yes, yes still out beyond suburban hell.

Viz is a cut down architectural version of 3ds max which has a much better renderer. Looking at the uninspired glass in that render I would say that it is probably Viz, or someone was lazy with 3ds max. And of course Photoshopped to within an inch of its life.

I think someone was lazy with 3ds max.
And just for Blabby a quick Rhino render of that stadium in question and the project I'm currently working on the Australian Pavillion for the Venice Biennale.

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6726/stadiumrender4lz.png (http://imageshack.us)

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1669/venpav86qw.png (http://imageshack.us)

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1558/venpav78hz.png (http://imageshack.us)

can anyone confirm whether the short list for the triangular plot in st kilda included the cocoon design? i think it's been shortlisted to 3 consortiums

No it hasn't

Sold: the best views that money can buy (http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/sold-the-best-views-that-money-can-buy/2005/09/09/1125772695376.html)
By Aileen Keenan
Property Editor
10 September 2005

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/09/09/view_wideweb__430x268.jpg
Julie Singh has one of Melbourne's best views from her ninth-floor flat in Williamstown.
Photo: Simon Odwyer

FROM the entrance to her ninth-floor Housing Commission flat at Nelson Heights, Williamstown, Julie Singh has chocolate box views over yachts and the West Gate Bridge to the city.

At night, the deep frame panoramic vista is like a cutaway city shot in an American crime program, with towering edifices defined by lights.

Her lounge room window offers a sweeping million-dollar vista from Port Melbourne around to Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.

Mrs Singh feels like a queen in her lofty two-bedroom castle and pays a modest $119 a fortnight for the privilege.

On the other side of the bay, former Hong Kong-based executives Chris and Cathy Edwards paid $950,000 in March 2002 for their tenth-floor apartment at HMAS in Port Melbourne.

It was the floor-to-ceiling wall of glass that gives a bird's eye view of the yachts and container vessels gliding along the shipping channel in the bay that clinched the sale. Now their three-bedroom pad is worth $1.1 million.

This week Melbourne was introduced to a new view, with the former Mercy Hospital receiving planning approval to be converted into apartments including four multimillion-dollar penthouses.

M3 Property director Dan Magree, who is overseeing the site's sale for the Sisters of Mercy, claimed the apartments could be Melbourne's most expensive, with their views over Fitzroy Gardens to the city likened to those across New York's Central Park.

Before Melburnians embraced high-rise apartments, views relied on the city's topography, with Ruckers Hill in Northcote and Studley Park in Kew offering early vantage points over a burgeoning metropolis.

The wealthy staked their claim to the Portsea and Sorrento cliff top, with its north-facing aspect and views over the bay to the matchstick-sized city on the horizon. The cliff top's grand mansions and stunning contemporary residences pay homage to the breath-taking vista, with wide balconies, walls of glass and price tags that enter the tens of millions of dollars.

Our love affair with blue views was affirmed in the latest property boom, with waterfront residences escalating in value. Now Olivers Hill in Frankston is a place to be.

But it's the combination of a water view with a city backdrop that commands a runaway price.

Just down the road from Mrs Singh's Williamstown flat, John Williams, of Williams Real Estate, recently clinched a record of $3.91 million for a double-storey Victorian house at 14 The Strand, eclipsing the previous local top price of $2.7 million.

Mr Williams said the house — on 1690 square metres — had a magnificent outlook across the bay. It was quoted at $3 million-plus. "It's undoubtedly the best view in the western suburbs and unparalleled in the inner city bayside," he said. "The view from Williamstown across the bay to the city has a Manhattan Island feel about it."

Melburnians' appreciation for views is underscored by the million-dollar sums paid for inner-city high-rise dwellings. The landmark sites of Eureka Tower and Freshwater Place in Southbank have both sweeping city views over the Yarra River and a north-facing aspect.

On St Kilda Road, The Domain, with its vista over the Shrine of Remembrance and the Royal Botanic Gardens, is aptly nicknamed "the tower of power", being home to chief executives and politicians.

Kay & Burton director Gerald Delany, who also lives in the building, estimates the penthouse would be worth $7-$8 million and half-floor sub-penthouses would go for around $4 million.

MELBOURNE'S TOP RESIDENTIAL VIEWS
■ The Strand, Williamstown
■ Apartments above the Westin Hotel, city
■ Eureka Tower, Southbank
■ Freshwater Place, Southbank
■ Esplanade Apartments, behind the Esplanade Hotel, St Kilda (being built)
■ Ruckers Hill, Northcote
■ Studley Park, Kew
■ Clarendon Street, East Melbourne
■ Olivers Hill, Frankston
■ Docklands apartments
■ Domain Tower, St Kilda Road
■ Former Mercy Hospital to be converted to apartments overlooking Fitzroy Gardens, below

New MFB training facility is breaking ground in Burnley. Its a fairly striking design by Spowers. Should add some interest to what is currently a pretty desolate area.


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/andrewpert/mfb1.jpg

Yes the old training ground is slowly being used up, the city edge of it has been converted into shopfronts. And i guess Victoria gardens will expand one day and use the rest of the land up.

Salta properties (who built Victoria Gardens and have since sold it to Centro) own the old MFB site (and have accumulated a number of adjacent properties). They have plans for a mixed residential/commercial development which being absolute riverfront should be very nice. The MFB have vacated the office building (full of asbestos apparently) but continue to use the training ground until the new one is complete.

Detailed plans of the approved Eastside Development in Wellington Pde Sth :
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/opm/bc/CTEE/meetings/PaE_31_200505190530.pdf

The RL for the tower is 65m

Detailed plans of the earlier proposed development on the Easide site
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/opm/bc/CTEE/meetings/PaE_52_20050301.pdf

What was proposed at 420 Spencer Street, West Melbourne:

http://img272.imageshack.us/img272/3319/420spencerstreetwestmelbourne6.png

^Was that the one designed by FK?

That 420 Spencer Street design is the current proposal. The previous proposal that was refused by VCAT was designed by FK, it was taller and also included the demolition of the Art Deco Showroom on the site.

Thanks Grollo. Not too bad for a little block.

speaking of victoria gardens... anyone know why the skipping girl sign across the road is never switched on???

Too expensive to run.

New MFB training facility is breaking ground in Burnley. Its a fairly striking design by Spowers. Should add some interest to what is currently a pretty desolate area.


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/andrewpert/mfb1.jpg

abolutley luv it.

SXY has started piling, saw it this arvo on the train, they had the bore machine drilling.

That 420 Spencer Street design is the current proposal. The previous proposal that was refused by VCAT was designed by FK, it was taller and also included the demolition of the Art Deco Showroom on the site.The previous Fender Katsalidis design for the site was to be 85m/278ft @ 28 levels above ground as a mixed use building. You can see by the render of the previous design that the 1930 art deco building wasn't to be part of it. It's easy enough to see that the bold blocky elements are similar to those for the FK approved 368 Little Collins Street tower. Even more so for an FK proposal for an office building on the Regent Place site in Sydney - check it out Here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=28331&page=16&pp=25)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/379420spencer.jpg

In the below design, the art deco structure will be incorporated into the new scraper. More than likely to be used as an entrance with perhaps a retail component. To the top of the architectural blade feature, guestimating puts it under 85m.

What was proposed at 420 Spencer Street, West Melbourne:

http://img272.imageshack.us/img272/3319/420spencerstreetwestmelbourne6.png

I have to say, I'm a huge fan of deco, but I wouldn't have thought this building worth saving.

http://www.erarichmond.com.au/ :)

While I agree with you CS, I must say that keeping the building has resulted in a much better design which seems to echo Mitchell House.

http://www.erarichmond.com.au/ :)

that is awesome.

location, the building, the view and........ the location.

forgot about that one!

Here is a render of era that I posted a while ago.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/379erarender1.jpg

hey im fairly sure ERA has already been comprehensively sold. LU Simon is the nominated builder

Yeah, they've been marketing ERA for years. Fairly large demolition has just been completed on site which is a good sign.

Yeah, they've been marketing ERA for years. Fairly large demolition has just been completed on site which is a good sign.

being lowrise Townhouses , are practically Sold out , the second stage being the Apartment Block has just been released , no doubt many are pre sold ! this is an excellent Location :) :)

The townhouses were completed 18 months to two years ago - can't exactly remember the dates - and all were sold soon after completion. There used to be a marketing suite for the apartments onsite but that bit the dust when the site was cleared. They've had a sign up for the apartments (I drive past it every day) for at least 18 months probably more. I actually thought they had given it away until the demolition occurred as planning permission was granted more than 3 years ago.

According to the advertisement in yesterday's Herald Sun , this is the First Release , however sounds as though it's just a Fresh Promotion , being out here in the Burbs , you guys travelling around the central city would have a better idea ! :)

Albito apartments in Fitzroy are now Under Construction, will be very interestring to see how this one turns out:

http://www.bdp-aust.com/files/H27J2WDC2T/Website%20Construction%20Update%20Sep%2005.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/5059/101885059ml1124967126.jpg

http://www.bdp-aust.com/files/HT4BMG9W05/external_2_fmt.jpg

http://www.bdp-aust.com/files/70L7W83H17/Cafe_close_up_fmt.jpg

The unofficial Melbourne 2030 web page (www.melbourne2030.org.au)

The Melbourne 2030 Portal is a community website of residents, for residents and by residents of Melbourne.

The Portal allows you to:
• Stay informed about what's happening with M2030 in and out of your suburb.
• Learn from the experience of other groups when dealing with M2030.
• Contribute your views and expertise to help other groups.

You can contribute news, views, expertise by either posting directly to the Melbourne 2030 portal or by sending an email to: melbourne_2030@yahoo.com.au


What a load of trash!



But wait, there's more!

Malvern East Group
Email meg@chezsamuel.com

Newsletter September 2005


23 Storeys For The Corner Of Derby & Dandenong Rds
An Information Sheet has been sent to some residents of Stonnington who may be affected by this proposed monolith, which exceeds the tallest Monash academic building by 13 storeys (6 storeys higher than the controversial tower at Micham).

The application has not yet been advertised by Glen Eira Council. The Major Projects Planner is Ms Seuna Byrne (9524 3319) and she will be main contact regarding this proposal.

A summary of the application and the history of the 7 and 10 storey Monash buildings can be found on the City of Glen Eira web page under Major Projects.

This proposal comprises a podium to Level 5 and an elliptical tower from Level 6 to 22. It will be 71.99m high. There is car parking in the basement and on all levels to Level 5. Levels 2 to 12 have offices, function room, hotel rooms, gymnasium and pool & terrace. Levels 13-22 have 120 apartments.

A porte cochere in Dandenong Rd. will provide elegant access to the building!

If this is permitted by Glen Eira Council it will set a precedent for development within the parameters of the Major Activity Centres of Caulfield and Carnegie and the Principal Activity Centre of Chadstone and these parameters take in large parts of Malvern East.

Interim Height Controls
On September 19 Council voted to ask the Minister to approve height controls for the Waverley Road Malvern East Neighborhood Activity Centre. This starts at the intersection of Dandenong Rd. on the south side and Douglas St. on the north and extends east just past Emo Rd. Details of the proposed 15m and 9.5m height controls can be obtained from the Notice Paper for Sept.19 Council Meeting, either on the website or the library.

If the Minister grants the Interim Controls, will this mean that we have set 'target heights' for this area?



Website
Have you visited the MEG website yet?
http:home.people.net.au/~meghome.php

^^ Mmmmm...rust! (I think)

^ What, what, what...I live in East Malvern (or when I'm feeling like a snob, Malvern East) and I was never invited to this so called group). Bring on the monoliths I tell you.

5 levels / 15m isn't unreasonable for Waverley road is it?

this is the scale I'd like to see in all the inner burbs (pic by mugley):

http://static.flickr.com/30/51142218_8be804e865_o.jpg

that'd be what 10m? 11m?

^Yeah I agree.

Anything higher would be out of scale for Waverley road. Major roads like dandenong, nepean etc, can handle the bigger ones (above 10 storeys) but they would overly dominate the narrower roads such as waverley, burke, etc.

Don't like the sound of 5 levels of parking, although I guess it's a positive that they have offices over those levels. I think CE style podiums with nothing but carpark to level 6 should never be allowed. It does nothing nothing for the streetscape no matter how decorated they are, especially at night, where all you see is fluro lights coming through metal grills.

Tayser, that building would be more like 13 metres or more. The neighbour has 4 levels from ground plus a parapet = 3m per level + parapet 1m??

i'd also like those period style buildings =D love suburbs like that, south melbourne, carlton ect.

Don't like the sound of 5 levels of parking, although I guess it's a positive that they have offices over those levels. I think CE style podiums with nothing but carpark to level 6 should never be allowed. It does nothing nothing for the streetscape no matter how decorated they are, especially at night, where all you see is fluro lights coming through metal grills.


there's an absolute corker on the south west corner of Balaclava and Hawthorn roads. New development (1-2 years old I'd say?) ground level retail, fine, two car width ramp leading from Balaclava Road up a steep incline and the level above the street is just all black grating, a level of apartments above that and a further level above that with a fairly sifnificant setback from the level below. 2 levels of apartments, 1 for car parking and ground floor retail, the proportions are all wrong!

I can handle the car park entrance (although it's quite large), but why they didn't go down is beyond me (well I know it's more expensive...however) this is where things need to change - there's so much scope for really intensifying the amount of apartments on that corner but a whole frikking level is wasting for car parking that is shit ugly when viewed from the street!

Balaclava itself has a few new developments I've noticed in my travels on the streets on the northern side of Carlisle St, all with ramps leading to underground car parking - essentially the new age 3 or 4 level 'walk up' that there are so many of in the inner city (and get neglected on this forum!) - was quite memorable for the simple fact that they'd gone to an effort of undergrounding the car parking.

having said that, this very building (Balaclava & Hawthron rds) is the perfect scale for any activity centre IMO.

it's diagonally opposite Caulfield Park, on our only 'grand union' tram junction.

^Yeah I know exactly which one you're talking about.

As for the walk-ups with underground parking, this works well in a purely residential setting (ie no shop/office fronts at ground level) because it allows you to set it only half a storey underground, and therefore ventilate naturally and hide the ventilation with grills with gardens. The Becton East Melbourne developments from the early 90s are a good example of this. Another benefit to this is that the ground floor is set above footpath level, which is better for privacy.

The strip shopping centres require a full basement, which is more expensive to construct and required mechanical ventilation. That said though, it seems crazy to loose a whole level to a carpark, just to save some costs, when you would assume they'd be recouped in the additional residential area.

In any case, the council should just not allow such things through, and let the developers live with lower margins.

There's always plenty of space in Caulfield Park to develop :D

South Yarra a fringe-benefits hot spot (http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/south-yarra-a-fringebenefits-hot-spot/2005/10/11/1128796525536.html)
By Cameron Houston
Commercial Property Reporter
The Age (www.theage.com.au)
12 October 2005

SOUTH Yarra's burgeoning commercial precinct continues to attract strong interest from investors and owner-occupiers as vacancy rates in the CBD fringe office market fall below 4 per cent.

Luxury car dealer Jeff Dutton will next week begin building a new showroom at 9-11 Claremont Street and has sold more than 65 per cent of the offices in the $27 million project.

The six-storey mixed-use premises, designed by architects Fender Katsalidis and SJB, is to be completed by December 2006, with several suites fetching almost $7000 per square metre.

Colliers International marketing agent Peter Bremner said rents for South Yarra office suites are about $290 per square metre, providing a healthy 7 per cent yield. Mr Bremner expected a 5 per cent premium on rents in the Dutton development, with strong interest from financial planners, fashion businesses and smaller recruitment firms.

"The area around South Yarra station is a hot spot of activity at the moment and tenants are drawn by the lifestyle amenity and retail, along with the proximity to public transport and the Monash Freeway," he said.

Remaining suites ranged from 75 sq m to 182 sq m and were priced from $425,000 to $1 million. Dutton Sporting Cars will occupy most of the ground floor. Restaurateur Mauro Marcucci, of Termini and Caffe e Cucina fame, will open Cafe Veloce in the remaining ground floor space.

An arcade will link the building to a mixed-use project at 15-19 Claremont Street by developer Michael Yates that will have 3000 sq m of office space, six rooftop apartments and a street-level showroom.

Mr Yates said construction of the $12 million project began last month, with marketing due to start next March.

He said land supply had been constrained by the former Tetley Tea site in Yarra Street and the Burns Philp yeast factory in Claremont Street, leading to pent-up demand for office space in the Forest Hill precinct. Mr Yates bought the 7630 sq m Burns Philp site for $9.25 million in 2002 and has recouped a substantial portion of his initial outlay by selling three land parcels to rival developers.

Buildcorp Commercial has recently completed a five-storey development at 25 Claremont Street, with more than 90 per cent of the 38 office suites already sold.

Jones Lang LaSalle leased the 845 sq m top floor of the building to accounting firm Todes Williams & Ferguson on a strong initial rental of $280 per sq m.

A joint venture between Andrew Rice and Craig Walton, of Walton Construction, at 10 Yarra Street will include 70 office suites over seven floors. Mr Rice said almost 20 per cent of the project had already sold, with financial planning and accounting firm Michael Pratt & Associates taking the fifth floor.

"Prior to the release of these sites, the only substantial office space in South Yarra was the Como building, which has been around for years," Mr Rice said.

The four projects will add 16,000 sq m of office space to the CBD fringe market.

Where would you rather work, an office in South Yarra or an office park in Burwood East?

Where would you rather work, an office in South Yarra or an office park in Burwood East?

South Yarra, hands down.

being lowrise Townhouses , are practically Sold out , the second stage being the Apartment Block has just been released , no doubt many are pre sold ! this is an excellent Location :) :)

.......
The impressive ERA redevelopment is located on a 6,500 sq. m. island site bounded by Cremorne, Balmain, Dover and Bent Streets. The development comprise of 15 trendy townhouses, 3 levels of office space, 10 levels (140 in total) of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments and 2 levels of under cover carparks - all designed to be built around 1,000 sq. m. of internal garden.

The 15 townhouses were completed 2004, 14 of them sold at a price range of $625,000 to $750,000. We are now embarking on the construction of stage 2 of the project - i.e. 140 apartments. These apartments comprise of a mixture of 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms apartments ranging from a total area of approx. 58 sq. m. to 65 sq. m. (1 bedroom), approx. 70 sq. m. to 115 sq. m. (2 bedroom) and 127 sq. m to 150 sq. m (3 bedroom). Price range are: $365,000 - $395,000 (1 bedroom with 1 carspace), $445,000 - $650,000 (2 bedroom with 1 carspace), and $795,000 - $875,000 (3 bedroom with 2 carspaces).

Amenities in the development include 1,000 sq. m. of internal landscape garden with a lap pool, a resident club with gymnasium, meeting rooms, media room, library facilities. An on-site manager will be on duty 24-hrs to look after all residents needs. As would be expected of a building of the highest quality, ERA Apartments feature the finest of finishes including stone bench tops, quality appliances, individual air-conditioning and structured cabling. Each apartment is cable TV and broadband compatible. The well-being of residents is paramount and secured car parking, electronic lift with security interface with an integrated security system complete the picture.

We have so far sold 90+ apartments (out of the total 140). Out of the 40+ units remaining, we still have a good selection of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom available. I can recommend to you one (last) 1 bedroom apartment of 50.17 sq. m. internal + approx. 6 sq. m. of balcony at a price of $295,000 – this price is inclusive of all the quality fitout and fittings, reverse cycle air conditioning and one undercover storeroom. A two bedroom apartment of 67 sq. m. internal + 3.5 sq. m. of balcony with 1 carpark is also available for as little as $445,000.


........

Extract from an email.

:hilarious @ prices.

I'm going to cry now :cry:

Yeah, and for $295,000.00 you don't even get a carpark.

What's so funny about the prices? That's what it costs to live in the inner city.

If you can't afford it, then go out to the burbs! Go on..., off you go.....

^ ^ ahh he's so far beyond the burbs its not funny...actually it is

can anyone name this site?
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/moa200510.jpg

Albito apartments in Fitzroy are now

Where abouts?

C7 reported tonight that Lend Lease and Freemasons will bulldoze Dallas Brookes Hall for offices and a 12L residential building. only issue being possible heritage protection

C7 reported tonight that Lend Lease and Freemasons will bulldoze Dallas Brookes Hall for offices and a 12L residential building. only issue being possible heritage protection

Channel 9 covered the same story...that it would be a 12L residential/office development....

Front page of tonight's MX - Dallas Brookes Hall is to be redeveloped by the Freemasons as apartments & offices, and of course we know that the Freemason's Hospital is for sale and the winning bidder will be announced in December...great opportunity to RESTORE East Melbourne to some archiwonderousness...

New storeys for the old masonry (http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/new-storeys-for-the-old-masonry/2005/10/27/1130400306712.html)

By Sasha Shtargot
28 October 2005

MELBOURNE'S Dallas Brooks Hall, the scene of many rock concerts and political rallies, is to be demolished for a $100 million commercial and residential development.

Developer Lend Lease has formed a partnership with the hall's owner, Freemasons Victoria, to build a lavish apartment block of 10 to 12 storeys on the East Melbourne site. The redevelopment, expected to be completed by 2009, will include the Victorian masonic headquarters as well as offices and medical suites.

Freemasons Victoria says Dallas Brooks Hall is too costly to run and no longer commercially viable, but the National Trust is angry and plans to fight the demolition. Built in 1969, it is subject to a Melbourne City Council local heritage overlay and height controls but does not have a Heritage Victoria listing.

The 80 apartments expected to be built on the Albert Street site will overlook Fitzroy Gardens and stand near the Freemasons Hospital, now for sale. Freemasons Victoria chief executive, Barry Reaper, said the decision to demolish the hall was economic.

"We're facing difficulties of managing an ageing building and associated rising maintenance costs. The building no longer suits the needs of the organisation.

"It is increasingly clear that Dallas Brooks Hall has come to the end of its economic life," Mr Reaper said.

"We have been considering the future of this building for some time." Melbourne's large number of entertainment venues now made running the 2200-seat hall difficult, he said.

"We're very proud of the history of this hall. Of course, it's sad for it to go, but there is an economic reality."

Lend Lease project director, Chris Hermann, said he was confident the development would meet the council's heritage and height guidelines. "This is a unique site. I would compare this site to (a development outside) Central Park in New York. It's very exciting," he said.

Mr Hermann said the development was still in the early design phase and no planning application had yet been lodged with the council.

The National Trust's senior historian, Celestina Sagazio, said the trust was opposed to the demolition of the hall because of its architectural and social significance. "Many Victorians have special memories of the place and it has been significant to the history of East Melbourne," Dr Sagazio said. The trust would consider listing the hall in its heritage register as part of its effort to stop the redevelopment, she said.

Margaret Wood, president of the East Melbourne Residents' Group, said the group would wait until a planning application was lodged with council before commenting.

Dallas Brooks Hall has hosted many concerts — including by Joe Cocker, Skyhooks, Sherbet and the Little River Band — performances, union rallies, political meetings and school speech nights since 1969.

In 2002, Freemasons Victoria was unsuccessful in a bid to build a 19-storey apartment tower on its nearby hospital site in Clarendon Street after the site was successfully nominated and registered by Heritage Victoria.

That year the National Trust failed to have Dallas Brooks Hall listed with Heritage Victoria.

Its almost as good as the Reders Diagest Building in Surrey Hills Sydney, but not quite.
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/a/3/6/im/a36366.jpg
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/a/3/6/im/a36367.jpg
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/a/5/0/im/a50596.jpg
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/miscpics/0/2/0/im/mp020759.jpg

i rarely support heritage protection for heritage's sake - i prefer to protect architecturally aesthetic heritage - for everything else, a plaque will suffice. muahahahahah!

AFR
RMIT contenders revealed
Mathew Dunckley
4 November 2005


The wheels are finally turning again at RMIT University's massive but idle former Carlton and United Brewery site in Melbourne's CBD. The project shortlist was leaked yesterday.

Sources close to the project, valued at more than $100 million, told The Australian Financial Review that the shortlist, originally expected in May, featured a range of Melbourne developers including Becton, MAB and PDG.

Also in the mix is super fund CBUS's construction arm, Australian Super Developments, in a joint venture with Baulderstone Hornibrook.

The 19,380 square metre site on the corner of Swanston Street and Victoria Parade has stood cleared and empty for more than 20 years.

The value of the vacant land is estimated at about $30 million, and developers were tripping over themselves to get involved - as evidenced by more than 100 responses to the expressions of interest campaign last year.

RMIT bought the site in 1998 from the Nauru government but its planned redevelopment has been hamstrung by the university's financial woes.

The design brief from RMIT to bidders is believed to include office space, student accommodation and new lecture halls and class space.

As part of the deal, the private sector will be able to add retail and other offerings to the new facilities.

RMIT's executive director property services, Chris White, confirmed the university had advised shortlisted proponents but declined to comment on the identity of the bidders.

Discussions would now begin and the requests for tender would go out by mid-2006, he said.

"RMIT was very pleased with the quality and interest shown in the site," he said.

In response to questions about the delays, Mr White said it was "important to fully brief" RMIT's new vice-chancellor, Margaret Gardner, before proceeding with the shortlist.

"There have been no significant changes to the proposed development," he said. "The CUB site is still expected to include mixed-use development with some student housing."

Mr White would provide no further details.

In plans released last year, the university said it was looking for innovative financing solutions from developers, which could include selling land and leasing back the property or a build, own, operate, transfer (BOOT) scheme that would involve RMIT leasing a building for a fixed period.

RMIT proposes selling the 8307 sq m northern section of the brewery site to a developer for a 1000-bed student accommodation project.

The developer would own and operate the service but RMIT would not provide rental guarantees or guarantee student numbers.

The southern section of the CUB site would be developed in either a joint venture or a BOOT scheme with a developer, although the university is leaving open the possibility of an outright sale of the 11,000 sq m site.

RMIT requires 13,000 sq m of office and class space in the proposed development.

It also needs 22,500 sq m of office and class space on the third site, opposite the main campus on Swanston Street.

A $100 million redevelopment planned for the site was dropped five years ago after it was labelled as uncommercial by the private sector.

Apart from the brewery site, two carparks in A'Beckett Street, behind the RMIT-owned Oxford Scholar hotel, were also on offer.

KEY POINTS

* Becton, MAB and PDG are on the shortlist of potential developers.

* Requests for tender are expected to go out by mid-2006.

Let's hope we get a great development with retail at ground level, lanes throughout the site, apartments and offices at upper levels and towers rising high!

There is a crane about to go up on Victoria Pde, between Brunswick St & ACU. Anyone know what that project might be? I would think its part of ACU Campus Expansion, but I can't find anything on their web site www.acu.edu.au

st vincents carpark, and its some time off being erected.

there is already a separate thread for the CUB site

Premier Bracks and Minister Brumby announce $50 million boost for WEHI

Friday 4 November 2005

The Premier, Mr Bracks and Minister for Innovation, Mr Brumby, today announced $50 million in funding to support a $130 million seven-storey extension to The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Parkville.

The extension will double the floor space of WEHI and enable considerable expansion of research programs, particularly in cancer and infectious diseases, and enhance capacity to translate scientific discoveries to the clinic.

Mr Bracks said, "As we celebrate its 90th anniversary, we honour WEHI as one of the world's leading medical research institutes. This major redevelopment will ensure that WEHI researchers have the necessary facilities to continue to make significant advances in medical science.

Mr Brumby added, "Research undertaken at WEHI has the ability to change people's lives for the better – and Victorian lifescience researchers have powered ahead to lead the nation and the world."

WEHI Director, Professor Suzanne Cory, observed that the Victorian State Government's investment in medical research and biotechnology was epoch-making.

WEHI President, Mr Leon Davis, added that future generations around the world would benefit from this major investment in medical research at WEHI. He warmly thanked the Victorian government and also made special mention of the generous support given to WEHI by The Atlantic Philanthropies.

best render of SXY i've seen, piling work should begin early next year

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

I'm hoping to get my brother who works in the new office building on Claremont Street to start taking pics once it really kicks off.

Yarra St > all.

I think I'll take photos out of the train window.

concept for new childrens hospital. $850 million & over 90000sqm space
only thing that'll remain of the existing complex is the small newer section facing flemington rd and the murdoch institute currently being built

http://www.rch.org.au/rchredev/media/siting_options/RCHsiting_0905_eastint02L.jpg

What's the dotted line? Future development, expansion?

underground car park

This is the proposal that will be given the green light by the State Govt.
http://www.rch.org.au/rchredev/media/siting_options/RCHsiting_0905_newwest01L.jpg

The Docklands concept was interesting. I dunno - I like the fact they thought about it, the more uses the precinct has the better.

thoughts?

wouldn't it be better on the corner?

This way they can run the old hospital while they are building the new one, which will save a lot of money can time. Having a childrens hospital as a construction site for a few years propably isn't in the best interests of the patients.

While it is unfortunate that more parkland is being swallowed up in the short term, the new location fits in better with public transport connections and it should be quicker to build on a green site.

I would like to see some sort of guarantee that the old site will be cleared and returned to parkland. Royal Park has a long history, starting with the Parkville housing opposite the University, of being gradually converted to other uses.

Hopefully, the builders will not be allowed to swallow up the bike lane again. It's been years since the full bike lane was available along the north side of Flemington Road - my daily commute is now via the Park and Melbourne Uni adding about 2km to the trip.

And before someone suggests riding on the footpath, - 20kph (slow for that area) is not appropriate on a footpath outside the existing Royal Childrens and Royal Melbourne Hospitals.

Victoria Gardens (or nearby) gearing up for another phase

PL05/0486
613-627 Victoria st & part 2 - 6 Flockhart st Abbostford

three buildings ranging 9-11 levels excluding carparking and plant levels. 154 apartments/offices/retail

i think the Salta 10L office proposal is not part of this?

Making over the grand old grounds (http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/making-over-the-grand-old-grounds/2005/11/30/1133311106652.html)

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/11/30/makeover_wideweb__470x308,0.jpg
Upgrade funding: Football clubs have sought money from the AFL, the State Government and the Melbourne City Council to redevelop the rundown Arden Street grandstand in North Melbourne.
Photo: Angela Wylie
The Age (www.theage.com.au)
By Liz Minchin, City Reporter
1 December 2005

THE former home grounds of the Kangaroos, Richmond and Carlton football clubs look set to get multimillion-dollar makeovers, starting with Arden Street.

On Tuesday the Melbourne City Council, which manages and leases the grounds to the clubs, is expected to give in-principle support to redeveloping the sites, which a council report found were "substandard" and in need of "urgent repair work".

Yesterday the majority of the councillors told The Age they were in favour of improving the grounds, and most will support contributing up to $6 million of ratepayers' money towards the redevelopments. All three clubs, which maintain headquarters at the grounds, have applied for a share of a $10 million State Government fund to improve suburban football grounds.

But the Kangaroos look certain to be the first AFL club to benefit. Local Labor MP Bronwyn Pike last night confirmed with The Age that the club will receive $2 million from the Government fund, matching another $2 million from the AFL.

A council report being released today details the clubs' redevelopment plans.

Despite objections from some residents, the Kangaroos now appear likely to be allowed to bulldoze the old grandstand, which was assessed as having local historical value in 1998, but which has no heritage protection and is now so run down it has been closed to the public.

The former grandstand site would then be turned into parkland, with new administration and training facilities, a public gym, and indoor basketball and netball courts built further east along Arden Street.

Ms Pike said the Government understood residents' concerns, but that there was no heritage protection for the grandstand and supported the plan to demolish the dilapidated structure.

"Quite frankly it's not a facility that's really going to be there for the greatest community use, because it's very run down and quite unsafe," Ms Pike said.

The Kangaroos' chief executive Geoff Walsh was not available for comment.

Meanwhile, the Richmond club is considering demolishing its social club building and replacing it with a new administrative and training building. Its $6.5 million plan would include improvements to the Jack Dyer stand, relocating its museum.

Carlton's communications manager Ian Coutts confirmed that the club had completed a feasibility study into further redevelopment at Optus Oval, which could potentially see the Heatley or Gardiner stands bulldozed to make room for improved facilities and a four-lane swimming pool.

According to the council report, the Optus Oval refurbishment could cost $10 million without demolition.

Seasons apartments turned out OK:
http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/07-12-2005/seasons%20web.jpg

So did Uropa next door:
http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/07-12-2005/seasons%20uropa%20web.jpg

Much better than some of the crap that has gone up on Swanston Street Lately:

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:
http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/07-12-2005/worst%20web.jpg
:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

Oh and I noticed that piling work for SXY in South Yarra has begun.

They look good, I'm not big on leaving concrete walls unpainted though, will that be done?

Expect to see 2 more highrise buildings in South Yarra in a year or two's time.

There are three apartment buildings under constrcution on this wedge shaped lot behind the Melbourne Uni law building, they all look pretty good, a great example of urban consolidation:

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/07-12-2005/carlton%20triangle%204%20web.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/07-12-2005/carlton%20triangle%201.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/07-12-2005/carlton%20triangle%203.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/07-12-2005/carlton%20triangle%202.jpg

The other side of the Melbourn Uni law building:
http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/07-12-2005/melbourne law web.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/07-12-2005/melbourne law 2 web.jpg

I like, i like...

Very good apartments to bulk up areas.

Trinity
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9005/102849005ml1133390388.jpg
http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/07-12-2005/carlton%20triangle%201.jpg

wahoo. All of lower Carlton should be like that :D

excuse me while I sob uncontrollably, $400 (http://www.domain.com.au/Public/PropertyDetails.aspx?adid=4498490) a week to rent a 2 bed in Trinity :cry:

Proposed Forrest Hill (South Yarra) Structure Plan Height Limits - City of Stonnington

26.5 metres+ or 7 storeys+, whichever is the lesser, for Toorak Road
30.5 metres or 8 storeys, whichever is the lesser, for Claremont Street and Daly Street
49.5 metres or 13 storeys, whichever is the lesser, for Chapel Street
76 metres or 20 storeys, whichever is the lesser, for Yarra Street
15 – 23 metres or 4 – 6 storeys, whichever is the lesser, for the podium height, Fun Factory and 30.5 – 60.5 metres or 8 – 16 storeys, whichever is the lesser, for the upper levels of the Fun Factory (noting that the ‘tower’ height of 97.5 AHD will remain)

pretty workable don't you think, a lot of sites across the whole node should allow for some different stuff to get whacked up, no?

SXY's got some decent excavation works going on atm (can see right down from the train / platform 6), hope it turns out to be the corker the renders on site depict.

there's no work on SXY train traveller, its site access for the piling/excavation work on 10 Yarra st - office

Pavilion space shrinks in Show's revamp (http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pavilion-space-shrinks-in-shows-revamp/2006/01/03/1136050442103.html)
By Mathew Murphy
4 January 2006

MELBOURNE'S redeveloped Showgrounds will contain a drastically reduced pavilion area next year despite the State Government originally calling for a bigger space for the show's attractions.

The revelation comes after an Auditor-General's report revealing that the redevelopment was meant to be completed for last year's Show, but was instead being pushed out by a year.

In a document from October 2003, the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria told the Government it needed 110,000 square metres of pavilion space for the rebuilt site in Ascot Vale.

When Major Projects Minister Peter Batchelor invited bidders in March 2004 to tender for the project, he stipulated that any successful bid would need to provide at least 63,000 square metres of new and existing buildings.

Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron has now revealed that the area will be shrunk by a further 15,000 square metres, to 47,754 square metres — a 62,000-square-metre reduction on the Royal Agricultural Society's original requirements.

The cost of the project has also risen to $108 million, blowing its budget by $7.9 million, due to the relocation of a creche and work on contaminated soil.

State Opposition major projects spokeswoman Louise Asher said the Government had failed to deliver on its promise to build a bigger pavilion area on the 27-hectare site.

"The Government promised a bigger and better Showgrounds and, while we welcome the more modern development, they have failed in making it any bigger," she said.

Brian Morley, from the Royal Agricultural Society, said the animal pavilions would be the most affected when the Royal Melbourne Show is staged in September.

"There will be a reduction in undercover areas and that will mean more changeovers, so animals will perhaps only stay for a day or two and then move on," he said. "It just means we will have to manage things a little more."

Mr Morley said he still believed the Show would be run efficiently.

Government spokesman Andrew Eales said that while the area had been reduced, the Grand Pavilion and the main exhibition hall would be significantly bigger than the previous exhibition spaces.

"The specifications of all buildings and facilities were approved by the RASV to meet their needs for the future of the Royal Melbourne Show and all other RASV events," he said.

Mr Eales said the $7.9 million blow-out in the budget could not have been foreseen.
____________________________________________________

This is not good news. A smaller Showgrounds for Melbourne!!!

Something old is new again in St Kilda (http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/something-old-is-new-again/2006/01/03/1136050442106.html)

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/01/03/04PIER_wideweb__470x271,0.jpg
The rebuilt kiosk remains largely faithful to original plans.
Photo: Craig Abraham

By Mathew Murphy
4 January 2006

ITS colour scheme might have changed slightly, and the steps are technically half a centimetre different, but the resurrected St Kilda kiosk left onlookers with a nagging sense of deja vu as it was officially handed over to its new tenants yesterday.

The kiosk, which burnt down in September 2003, has been restored on St Kilda pier using the 1903 plans, but with a new cafe out back offering light snacks and meals.

The roof of the cafe is also accessible to the public, providing 360-degree views.

Peter Tzambazis has a 16-year lease on the kiosk, which he hopes to open next month. He says ice-cream, coffee and cake will remain on the menu but is coy about revealing what else would be available or indeed what the kiosk would be named.

It was originally known as Parer's Pavilion until the 1930s when the Kirbys took over and renamed what most would remember as Kirby's kiosk.

"This is one of the best projects in Melbourne as far as I'm concerned and I'm just very, very lucky to be able to get this local icon back to the people of Victoria and to showcase it for the people from overseas who come and visit us," Mr Tzambazis said.

Rob Saunders, a spokesman for Parks Victoria, which owns the kiosk, said the architects had remained faithful to the original design.

The baltic pine floorboards inside the kiosk remain the same, although the ochre colour scheme has changed slightly.

"The doors are red, the architraves are white and the ochre colour outside is the closest colour we could find on the Dulux colour chart to the original," he said.

A copper roof has replaced the corrugated iron design because it is more suited to the seaside environment. A larger dining room and commercial kitchen have been incorporated into the development.

The decision to rebuild the kiosk to its original design has been the subject of much controversy, with many believing a more modern design would have been appropriate.

However, even some of those critics did an about-face yesterday. City of Port Phillip councillor Dick Gross said he may have been "a bit robust" in his criticism at the time, saying he was "as happy as a pig in mud" about the new kiosk.

"I would have been supportive of a modern building but it could have been a ripper or it could have been a shocker. We had a ripper already, why risk a shocker?" he said.

Acting Premier John Thwaites, who handed the keys over to Mr Tzambazis, said the kiosk would have security and sprinkler systems to avoid another arson attack.

He said the decision to rebuild the kiosk was the right one and it came about after exhaustive debate.

"There was a lot of community consultation and people basically voted to have a reconstruction of the original building which has been such a Melbourne icon for so many years," he said.

__________________________________________
Classic old photo of the original pavillion
http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/attachments/o7929.jpg

Render of proposed new pavillion
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/09/11/kilda1_wideweb__430x257.jpg

^ yawn, wasted opportunity.

How exactly???
Looks great - was the right decision!

I agree Garmatt.

On the plane Tayser, go and check out some European modern architecture, like from 1659...... We ain't got much of historical significance, so when some smackhead burns wot we got, I say I agree with Garmatt.

you're making it sound like we lost the Royal Exhibition Building or Flinders Street Station favco - this kiosk really only had local significance, which I suppose I can understand being reason enough for the locals to want to see it rebuilt, but St. Kilda isn't an isolated no-go zone appreciated only by its locals, it's very much one of Melbourne's prime neighbourhoods that gets people from all over (oh and I'm positive every single one of those visitors from outside of St. Kilda appreciated a little kiosk at the end of a pier in June!).

European modern (contemporary) architecture:

http://www.waagner-biro.at/CDA/main/images/SS/BilderReferenzen/Kopenhagen1,method=render,prop=data.jpg

http://www.travelthewondersofspain.com/Guggenhein-Lg.jpg

http://classic-space.com/concept/Exterior/Swiss.re.arp.750pix.jpg

A thorough and immediate retort, soon to be passport stamped up one.....

I wasn't trying to compare the rebuilding of an Ice cream shop with the louvre, or the opera house, or the Guggenheim etc etc.

Even a young fellow such as yourself must be able to appreciate the lack of history we are not surrounded by. I'm not assuming a 103 yo gelati van on stumps is either significantly immpressive enough or aesthetically brilliant enough. I just don't think it was time for it to go. I have been inside and out of the old girl doing yachting commentary for the "wireless", and bought a few teenage girls a gaytime or two out there, but it is not an emotional attachment....It didn't deserve to be burnt down and finited in such a crap manner.

The only time I really see it now is as I drive past in the am and pm, and it just looks right, sitting out the (sort of) end of the pier. And it completes my St Kilda mantra, the kiosk is the yang as the pier is the ying, know what I mean.........

It didn't deserve to be burnt down and finited in such a crap manner.


Of course it didn't, but it didn't deserve the treatment it got thereafter: just rebuild it.

Personal / emotional attachments aside, here's an opportunity to do something a little different, perhaps even make St. Kilda pier a little more than just a kiosk at the end of a pier, given its far wider exposure to the rest of the city, but nope - wasted.

I'm sure there were millions of people in the same boat with the WTC, but there's your progress for you, granted the scale of devastation is dramatically different (and I'm not trying to equate the loss in each instance) but the concept is exactly the same - we looked back and gave into the lament of the loss and they've looked forward and saw something different for that site, I much prefer the latter.

Personal / emotional attachments aside, here's an opportunity to do something a little different, perhaps even make St. Kilda pier a little more than just a kiosk at the end of a pier, given its far wider exposure to the rest of the city, but nope - wasted.

And really tayser, what did you expect to be built on that pier - a 50-storey skyscraper??? Dude, from what I've heard and read, that kiosk has quite some historical significance in the area, and I would not mind going down and checking it out myself. I cannot for the life of me picture anything remotely modern (ie. contemporary) that would suit the end of that pier. I think what they have done is perfect.

And really tayser, what did you expect to be built on that pier - a 50-storey skyscraper???

despite the nature of this forum: nope, that would have been inappropriate as opposed to a waste.

that's the problem, we're not going to really know what could have been, because it was foregone conclusion that it should be rebuilt.

A Development such as Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco with have been Fu-ckin Awesome , although the Architecture would be more along the Lines which would Compliment the surrounding area ! Could you imagine that ! would have been a huge Tourist Attraction and would have made St Kilda even more of a must see , not just for Overseas Visitor's but for all of Aussie ! :)

http://www.wildnatureimages.com/images%202/041004-050..jpg

Nice suggestion, Marky Mark, but Fisherman's wharf arose out of a real fisherman's wharf and fruit cannery district. It uses some of the original wharves and buildings and continues the history, albeit in a commercial and slightly tacky way.

St Kilda pier is probably about the same age (the original, not the existing concrete one) but there is little of a historic theme to exploit - maybe Bay ferries. The marina is relatively new and very rough around the edges and celebrates boat parking.

Nice suggestion, Marky Mark, but Fisherman's wharf arose out of a real fisherman's wharf and fruit cannery district. It uses some of the original wharves and buildings and continues the history, albeit in a commercial and slightly tacky way.

St Kilda pier is probably about the same age (the original, not the existing concrete one) but there is little of a historic theme to exploit - maybe Bay ferries. The marina is relatively new and very rough around the edges and celebrates boat parking.


Not the Shanty Town look of Fisherman's Wharf LOL I was relaying the idea as in relation to the commercial aspect of such a Development ! :)
This West Pier Proposal for Brighton's West Pier is more along the lines of the Architecture I would say suited the St Kilda Area , Blending in Nicely with the Palace , Luna Park ETC :)


http://www.regencybrighton.com/images/prvision.jpg

10 storey office building proposal in Richmond across the road from Victoria Gardens:

http://axiomstudio.com.au/m-04.jpg

This one was refused by council but has been called in by the minister. The Priority Development Panel has reccomended that it be approved subject to a reduction in height to 9 levels (39 metres) and some minor amendments.

interesting.

How much of the old MBF grounds does it take up? i know the centrelink built there took up about 10 meters (width) of the property.
Good to hear it though, need stuff like this on victoria street.

How much of the old MBF grounds does it take up? i know the centrelink built there took up about 10 meters (width) of the property.
Good to hear it though, need stuff like this on victoria street.
I don't think this proposal is on the MFB site, but instead opposite on the north-east corner of Victoria and Burnley Streets.
One can even see the old MFB building in the proposal on the north-west corner of Victoria and Burney Streets.

10 storey office building proposal in Richmond across the road from Victoria Gardens:

http://axiomstudio.com.au/m-04.jpg

This one was refused by council but has been called in by the minister. The Priority Development Panel has reccomended that it be approved subject to a reduction in height to 9 levels (39 metres) and some minor amendments.LOL @ wanting to cut it down by one level. Let's hope if so, they take out a middle level and also not ammend the funkiness of the top too much.

Love the Skipping Gal Vinegar neon too http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/wub.gif

Wait i just relised this is on that 'ex-government office furniture' store, i thought it was on the MBF grounds next to the new Centrelink... Oh, i understand now, even better!

AFR
Neon sign skips to heritage status
Mathew Dunckley
13 January 2006

The Victorian government has declared Melbourne's Skipping Girl neon sign a state treasure, but the owners of the former vinegar factory where it resides may have to find the $100,000 to restore it and keep it operating themselves.

Just before Christmas, Heritage Victoria executive director Ray Tonkin quietly published a decision to list the sign on the state's heritage register, meaning any alteration or development obscuring the sign will require a permit.

Heritage Victoria said the Skipping Girl sign, in the inner-city suburb of Abbotsford, had strong links with the neighbourhood's industrial history.

Although it is not the original - it is a 1970s replica of the 1936 original - it had a place in popular culture and was regarded as a Melbourne landmark, it said.

"These electric sky-signs were once a prominent feature of the Melbourne skyline and are diminishing in number," it said.

If the owners of the building want government assistance with the restoration of the sign, which is not lit these days, they will have to apply for a grant.

"In relation to the lighting of the sign, it is unlikely that ongoing assistance could be provided to pay for electricity, but it might be possible to explore and assist the installation of a solar energy system," Heritage Victoria said.

The factory has been converted into small offices and has a body corporate, controlled by the building's owners, which is responsible for the sign.

Spring and Parks director Malcolm Parks, whose company manages the building, said the investors involved in the property could not afford the money for restoration.

"It is a Melbourne icon," he said.

"It shouldn't be that a few people should have to fund it.

"It should be the whole of the community, really."

He said a number of options were being considered to help fund the repair and ongoing lighting of the sign, including sponsorship and applying for a government grant.

Another director, Matt Spring, said there had been concerns that heritage listing would devalue the site.

"We don't really get anything from [the sign]," he said.

"Yes, it's the Skipping Girl building, but it doesn't generate income."

http://www.becton.com.au/eastmelbourne/images/eastside2.jpg

Seems like we may have a crane up & running in East Melbourne. On my way to work this morning, I saw bits of a brand new (newly black painted) crane dumped on land just south of Wellington Pde Sth on the Becton Site (http://www.becton.com.au/eastmelbourne/index.html). Yipeeee :D

http://www.becton.com.au/eastmelbourne/images/melwaysMap.jpg

:weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: :weirdo: becton are going to build a display unit 30 mts in the air and sit the whole structure on crane sections,maybe newly painted black

D1 Apartments
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/do200602.jpg

Royal Womens
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/rwo200602.jpg

College Square
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/eco200602.jpg

Good to see you got the Womens Hospital shot this time, Mark.
Looks like it’s 7 floors underground, one of the deepest in Melbourne.
If memory serves me correct, the only other deep one I can think of is The Paramount Apartments with 6 under.

its a shame about the east melbourne site....

what a waste is all ill say another boring tower...

the crane going up is great but really melbourne you need to lift your game im really starting to get sick of this shit architecture...

anyway...

lets just leave it at that i would love to see the masterplan behind this whole area does anyone know the planning consultant for this project???

It aint that bad ploty,
I actually like it. :)
Good to hear from you again.

the tower is great by melbourne standards its mabye one of the best but the location deserves a whole array of architectual styles and not just

"me tarzan you jane" developments

after visiting chile, argentina, brazil, turkey, greeze, italy, france, spain, switerland, austria, solvenia, eygpt... asia ect ect it has really opened my eyes up what architecture is... this area has so much potential and i hate to see it wasted with a stock standard high quality tower...

its not the just the tower its the planning for the whole area im sure someone has already spread the richs of planning this new area but what a complete and utter waste I say...

do something different i say...

the city of melbourne melbourne should really think about creating diversity in the city if they create a new city block here...

1) make thin laneways 1-2 wide
2) make dirt cheap retail space
3) ensure each facade/walkway sources facade materials from countries such as spain,turkey and any designs/materials that have never been used before in melbourne...
4) provide deemed to satisfy provisons for the development regardless of design for aspects of the bca and fire regulations...
5) masterplan i want to see it before I see a tower this part of melbourne is one of the best locations in the city...

I don't understand what a "me tarzan you jane" development is.

...and dunno about the greater development for the Becton project, but the tower is sweet enough...and it's as close as you'll get @ this stage to having a scraper on the other side of Wellington Pde, stretching out the skyline ever so. If it turns out 1/2 as good as the render, it'll still be pretty good IMHO.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/hulls-approves-smith-street-towers/2006/02/14/1139890738814.html

Hulls approves Smith Street towers

From The Age
By Rachel Kleinman
February 15, 2006

ONE of Melbourne's oldest shopping strips, Smith Street in Collingwood, will alter dramatically after State Government approval for a large retail and residential development is granted today.

State Planning Minister Rob Hulls will approve modified plans by developer Banco, which include three towers, 161 apartments and a shopping mall between Peel and Stanley streets, in a move set to cause friction with Labor Party colleagues.

Local state Labor MP Richard Wynne said although the revised plans were a significant improvement — the three nine-storey towers have become three storeys of five, six and seven storeys — the development was still too high. "I would have hoped for a reduction of another level," Mr Wynne said.

Mr Hulls' decision also upset Yarra Council planning committee chairwoman and Labor Party member Annabel Barbara.

"The Government wants more (development) and it wants it bigger but that is not in line with the community," Cr Barbara said.

Smith Street and Brunswick Street were named in Melbourne's 2030 planning blueprint as activity centres — areas targeted for more development.

"They might have tram lines and good public transport but that does not take into account the impact on the heritage nature of iconic shopping strips," Cr Barbara said.

Fellow councillor Stephen Jolly, a Socialist Party member, said traders and residents would hold a rally on Smith Street on Saturday week in protest at Banco's plans.

And National Trust senior historian Celestina Sagazio warned that other historic shopping strips such as Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, and Chapel Street, South Yarra, were under threat.

"We urge the Minister for Planning to allocate more resources, so local councils can complete structure plans to protect such important precincts from inappropriate development," Dr Sagazio said.

Today's decision follows a heated battle between the developer and residents, who flooded Yarra Council with a record 1500 objections when original plans were lodged in April 2004.

The outcry prompted an independent report on urban development, in which Melbourne University architectural expert Miles Lewis said the Smith Street plan exposed "serious flaws" in Melbourne 2030.

Developer Banco's first $300 million application sketched out three nine-storey towers, including 245 apartments and a shopping mall.

When Yarra Council threw the application out, Banco took a modified version to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, including lower building heights along Smith Street. Mr Hulls "called in" the project in August 2005, appointing an independent panel to assess the plan.

The panel called for only minor changes to Banco's trimmed-down plans, which attracted more fury from resident and trader representative, the Collingwood Action Group.

In the final version, announced today, the tallest tower will be set back 18 metres from Smith Street. Mr Hulls also ordered the reconstruction of historic building facades.

State architect John Denton will review the final design. Banco did not return The Age's calls yesterday.

"They might have tram lines and good public transport but that does not take into account the impact on the heritage nature of iconic shopping strips," Cr Barbara said.

What is the issue with these people?
I frequent Smith Street a lot, and the site for the Banco development is absolutely FUGLY, a mish-mash of functionalist buildings!
This development is perfect for that spot, and the height of some of the existing Victorian style buildings is quite high already, one or two storey buildings would be wrong for the site, seven levels is just right.

Edwardian postcard of Smith Street.
http://www.thecollectormm.com/gallery/postcards/Edwardian/slides/Collingwood2.jpg

Amen Collector, amen.

Anbody seen this approved tower on Ascot Vale Road, Flemington before?

http://img.domain.com.au/img/3929/2005185510_1_FS.JPG?mod=050928-025253

haven't seen this latest guise for this site....it seems they have had to lower their height & the design is a tad ordinary i wonder if the green bits are going to be installed or faked on...

BUT it is going to spoil my rural view in the city, from where i sit i see only treetops and sale yards and the biggest tree cuts out the fugly house commision flats...... :runaway:

BOOM crane has gone up at the SXY site. I would've taken photos but I didn't have my camera on me.

is that a tower crane? looks like ICON are moving up in the world. anyway that site is for 10 Yarra st - office complex. SXY site is being used as access. probably another crane for ICON to go up directly behind this site for a couple of office blocks on Claremont st

Drove past the new MFB building in Burnley today, all of it is on level 3, and lift cores are on level 4, so it's progressing, anyone got an ETA on that?

So... Sxy is next to where the crane is? that's two sites? I thoguht it was one long one. eh, what do i know? Nothing it seems.

SXY is the only tower going up at the moment. There are no other plans aprroved for the site.

PS: Except 10 Yarra St! Forgot that one!

sxy & 10 yarra

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

Yep it's 10 Yarra street and it's a tower crane. I forgot all about that office block.

we all missed it, cranes at 9-11 Claremont. to its right is 15 Claremont - joint sites. red boom at rear is 10 Yarra where there's no tower crane yet. to that sites right is SXY and to the left of the crane towers is the site for the 80m odd tower that was rejected. things will be busy down there for a while...

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/car200602.jpg

10 Yarra

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/yso200602.jpg

Era's also going

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/era200602.jpg

and Royal womens for good measure

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/rwo200602.jpg

I expect to see a few more cranes up and running by the end of the year. There are a few projects ready to go very soon. Melbourne will be a sea of cranes again in late 2006 / early 2007.

Anyone know much about the flamingo apartments going up on peel street opposite queen vic market??? The render on the bill board looks to be 3 or 4 stories that incorporate 8 apartments and a penthouse.........

^^ while were on it anyone know whats happening behind university square on pelham st carlton, looks like it'll be a good size

^^ while were on it anyone know whats happening behind university square on pelham st carlton, looks like it'll be a good size
This site?
http://users.bigpond.net.au/dasa/ssc/unknown.jpg

yep any ideas?

If you thought SY21 or SXY were big, you will have to wait and see the rest of Forrest Hill, South Yarra. I have just come back from a presentation by a developer who wants to erect at least 2 towers one 16 levels and the other 18 levels (mixed use). He has pre-committed tenants too! He also informed us that there were at least another 5 developers (land owners) in the area drawing up plans for even more high-rise and we may even see the re-launch of the Fun factory site with a major Sydney Hotel.

Seems southyarra will be our third skyline (after the cbd and st kilda road)

Sounds good.

If you thought SY21 or SXY were big, you will have to wait and see the rest of Forrest Hill, South Yarra. I have just come back from a presentation by a developer who wants to erect at least 2 towers one 16 levels and the other 18 levels (mixed use). He has pre-committed tenants too! He also informed us that there were at least another 5 developers (land owners) in the area drawing up plans for even more high-rise and we may even see the re-launch of the Fun factory site with a major Sydney Hotel.

So are they going to wait 60 days and go to VCAT or straight to the minister? ;-)

The Forest Hill Structure Plan allows for that height. I suspect it will only go to Council.

Good stuff. In Boroondara 5 levels is almost automatic refusal.

asian pacific are supposed to do a serviced apartment tower at 638 chapel st, thats opposite como right?

Forrest Hill Structure plan pics:

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/forrest%20hill%201.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/forrest%20hill%202.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/forrest%20hill%203.jpg

Design standards for height:

Toorak Road: 18.5m
Chapel Street: 49.5m / 13 levels
Yarra Street: 76m / 20 levels
Claremont & Daly Streets: 30.5m / 8 levels

There may be circumstances where alternative height outcomes are appropriate, subject to relevant performances measures being satisfied. Use taller, more slender building forms, rather than lower, squatter forms, to minimise their apparent bulk.

Wow, thats great, now all we need is for connex and the council to sell the airspace over South yarra station and get a building over it (at least the end of the platforms)

Neither Connex nor Stonnington Council own the air rights over the railway land. Its VicTrack who own the railway land throughout Melbourne. The Forest Hill Structure Plan report outlines the need for a northern entrance and exit to South Yarra Station.

PS: Oh, and don't forget about the existing and proposed highrise offices & apartment towers on the east side of Chapel St between the River and Toorak Rd. We have the makings of a little South Yarra CBD.

Sob. It looks like one of those buildings is positioned right on top of where my favourite pool hall 'Legends' is. Half way down Chapel St between Alexandra and Toorak.

That pool hall as well as some of the adjacent buildings have been sold and a development of some 10 or so stories incorporating a hotel may be coming to council within 12 months.

Oh well I guess progress means letting go of the old. It was a good pool hall, but an ugly building. The Pool Hall was actually a converted car showroom.

750 Elizabeth st Carlton, now a Ford dealership > a 45000sqm mixed use building, mostly research and design.

new Royal Womens/Childrens, Bio 21, WEHI expansion, this and a few towers going in around Uni Square and the first impression of the city is not so 1960's anymore although i wish MCC would do something with the big round about

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/drapacfr.jpg

i like the roundabout, its a challenge going through it everytime and no hitting a cyclist or tram

Gateway for migrants to get new life of its own (http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/gateway-for-migrants-to-get-new-life-of-its-own/2006/04/19/1145344155794.html)
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/04/19/2004PIER_wideweb__470x283,0.jpg
Pier review: this digital image suggests how the pier might look once the $14 million overhaul is complete and its pylons exposed.

The Age (www.theage.com.au)
By Mathew Murphy
20 April 2006

PORT Melbourne's Princes Pier, which served as a gateway for postwar migrants and sent Australian soldiers off to both world wars, will get a $14 million facelift.

Acting Premier John Thwaites announced yesterday that a third of the pier would be overhauled, the gatehouse would be restored and recreational boats would be able to moor.

The first 196 metres of the pier will be fully restored. Beyond that the decking will be removed and the pylons preserved. The Government deemed too high the $60 million cost of restoring the entire pier, completed in 1915.

Heritage approval has not yet been given, but Mr Thwaites said the plans were in keeping with the history of the pier.

The State Government rejected other proposals including building apartments on the site, saying the pier should be available for everyone to enjoy.

"(The pier) is very much a part of Victoria's and Australia's maritime heritage," Mr Thwaites said. "This is the spot where many migrants arrived in Australia. It's the place where troops embarked for overseas in World War I and World War II and also where the Americans came in to Australia in World War II."

"Unfortunately over the last 20 years, Princes Pier has become an eyesore. It is now damaged (and) degraded."

Jim Gard'ner , from Heritage Victoria, said no plans had been put before it yet but that the low-key proposal would be favourable.

"We certainly welcome any works that conserve the historic fabric of this important heritage site," he said.

Port Phillip Mayor Janet Bolitho also welcomed the proposal, saying that she believed it would gain widespread approval from locals and visitors to the area.

Once the project has heritage approval, it will be put out to tender. Mr Thwaites said he expected work to start this year, with the project to be completed by the end of next year.

Just evict them NOW!!!

St Kilda 'triangle' hitch (http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/st-kilda-triangle-hitch/2006/04/22/1145344320281.html)
The Age (www.theage.com.au)
By Clay Lucas
23 April 2006

PLANS for the $100 million makeover of St Kilda's "triangle site" — the land next to Luna Park — have stumbled.

State Government lawyers argued in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last month that unless access to the site was won by August 30 this year, the tender process to redevelop it could collapse.

Operators of the Palace nightclub and the Palais Theatre lost a Supreme Court appeal late on Friday that sought to prevent the State Government inspecting their two buildings. The tender process cannot be finalised without an inspection. But now the operators of the two venues are threatening a High Court appeal to stop the inspections.

If an appeal were allowed, it could take months, breaching the August 30 deadline.

Under the development plans, the Palace is expected to be bulldozed and the Art Deco Palais refurbished.

"We are considering appealing to the High Court," Palace spokesman Alan Evers-Buckland said. "It's hard to get justice, and the battle's not over. We have two weeks to make a decision."

The two leases expired on March 31, but neither operator has been evicted.

Oh dear!!! The NIMBY residents of Melbourne in bed with the Liberal Party! Gee, now that's a first! The Liberal Party have lost the plot (yet again) and will not win the November election.

SOS sends help to Libs on planning (http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/sos-sends-help-to-libs-on-planning/2006/05/01/1146335671161.html)
The Age (www.theage.com.au)
By Royce Millar and Farrah Tomazin
2 May 2006

The resident action group that grew out of community hostility to Jeff Kennett's planning policies is now backing a key Liberal planning platform in the lead-up to the November state election.

Save Our Suburbs (SOS), which played an important role in the decline of the Kennett government, yesterday endorsed the Liberal promise to scrap Labor's metropolitan planning blueprint, Melbourne 2030.

Opposition Leader Robert Doyle yesterday pledged a Liberal government would ditch 2030 and wind back the power of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal as part of the Liberals' new planning policy for Melbourne, Metropolitan Planning: a Plan for All.

Announcing the policy at the site of the controversial Mitcham Towers project in Melbourne's east, Mr Doyle said planning had become a nightmare under the Bracks Government.

"They promised they would return control to local municipalities, and, in fact, the opposite has been true. Control over the destiny of local communities has been ripped away by the Bracks Government," he said.

" 2030 has not worked. Withdraw it, and get back to the drawing board. Return planning to communities, return planning to local decision making."

SOS had been a qualified supporter of 2030 [since when???], but president Ian Quick said the Government had failed to deliver on 2030 promises including the need to invest in public transport. "Just about everybody agrees with the majority of 2030 principles, but the principles just aren't being translated into reality."

Mr Doyle said the Liberals would retain some of 2030, including an Urban Growth Boundary, the legislated line drawn around Melbourne designating limits of urban growth, but they would realign the boundary and extend it in the western and northern suburbs. [Where there is very poor public transport!]

A Liberal Government would:

■ Boost local planning authority by reducing state intervention and giving greater weight to council policies.

■ Make planning a "full-time" portfolio. They say Planning Minister Rob Hulls is too busy in his Attorney-General and Industrial Relations portfolios.

■ Review land use in green wedge areas and consider tax and other relief for landowners restricted in what they can do.

■ Use a new Victorian Infrastructure Fund to buy important environmental areas for public parks in green wedge areas.

■ Reduce the power of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal "as a quasi-planning authority" by disallowing appeals over projects clearly at odds with local planning schemes.

The Liberals say they would appoint a "bipartisan" board of review with an independent chairman and two Liberal and Labor MPs, to rethink planning for Melbourne. Planning spokesman Ted Baillieu said metropolitan planning should be bipartisan.

Mr Hulls dismissed the Liberal policy, which he said failed to offer a clear alternative to 2030.

"The only people who will benefit are the Liberal Party's developer mates and vocal community activists in Camberwell and Toorak concerned only about their own backyard," he said.

Greens planning spokesman Bill Pemberton said the Liberal policy pandered to developers by "compromising Melbourne's green wedges and giving the nod to further urban sprawl".

The Municipal Association of Victoria yesterday called for the retention of 2030.

Suckers, hehehehe, does anybody really think that in the long term the liberals would support NIMBYS over the interests of developers and business if they were in office?

VCAT already disallows appeals over projects clearly at odds with local planning policies the problem is local councils who ignore their own policies or come up with their own ad-hoc policies to stop a certain development they don't want to go ahead for political reasons.

SOS was supportive of Melbourne 2030 at first because it was supposed to mean the end of unit developments in suburban streets in the middle of nowhere by increasing densities in activity centres.

The problem is that local councils have introduced very restrictive controls in activty centres which has stifled development while not protecting areas away from activity centres which are less suitable for medium density development. In fact VCAT has interpreted Melbourne 2030 as saying that furher development is encouraged anywhere within the urban growth boundary regardless of access to services and public transport unless their are specific controls which discourage this.

It is ironic that Melbourne 2030 is introducing strict planning requirments, including height limits, in most activity centres where their used to be no planning controls whatsoever. Melbourne 2030 has reduced the development potential of activity centres while at the same time allowing for an almost limitless contunation of low density urban sprawl and medium density development distant from transport and services.

Melbourne 2030 is good in theory and should not just be thrown away, the problem is that it has been poorly implimented. The Liberal party shoudl not throw the babyy out with the bathwater and if they really wanted to fix the problem they should concentrate on implimenting Melbourne 2030 correctly rather than pandering to special interest groups.

Also what is the liberal alternative, no strategic plan for Melbourne at all or will they spend three years coming up with their own plan which says all the same things that Melbourne 2030 does but in a different way?

Well said Grollo. Ever wanted to join local government? You should!

Hehe well I work for local government as a planner, not sure if I would want to jump the fence and run for council and you can't really do both at the same time :-)

This site?
http://users.bigpond.net.au/dasa/ssc/unknown.jpg

melb uni economics faculty building, 13 levels

Another international student box on Lygon Street:

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/8583/103178583ml1147224410.jpg

Lygon St Brunswick and Nicholson St, Brunswick East are the sleepy giants of the inner north. :D

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/3200/burnleyst13ew.jpg

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/8285/burnleyst29ax.jpg

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/9691/burnleyst32mw.jpg

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/9692/burnleyst49qc.jpg

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/7483/burnleyst57qg.jpg