+1. especially being on a prominant corner of the city as it is. skyscraper fans might not all agree, but I actually wish it had never been built at all, and the William Pitt designed 'Tower House' had been kept as bookend. at least given what replaced it.

http://app1.lib.unimelb.edu.au/archives-images/ArchiveImages/OSBA066.jpg
photo via Melbourne University Library

...weeps inconsolably...

+1. especially being on a prominant corner of the city as it is. skyscraper fans might not all agree, but I actually wish it had never been built at all

http://app1.lib.unimelb.edu.au/archives-images/ArchiveImages/OSBA066.jpg
photo via Melbourne University Library

^^ Wow! What developers have done to Melbourne over the past decades is akin to going to the Louvre... Throwing the Mona Lisa on the floor. Dousing it in petrol, setting it ablaze and pissing on the ashes. Then decapitating the Venus the Milo using a marble cutter.

^^ Wow! What developers have done to Melbourne over the past decades is akin to going to the Louvre... Throwing the Mona Lisa on the floor. Dousing it in petrol, setting it ablaze and pissing on the ashes. Then decapitating the Venus the Milo using a marble cutter.

TBH though, most of those kinds of decisions were made when older style architecture was considered less than fashionable. It would be like our current view of many things made in the years since, especially 60s and 70s designs, which are now ripe for redevelopment in our eyes.

What will future generations say about those decisions made today though?

TBH though, most of those kinds of decisions were made when older style architecture was considered less than fashionable. It would be like our current view of many things made in the years since, especially 60s and 70s designs, which are now ripe for redevelopment in our eyes.

What will future generations say about those decisions made today though?

I think future generations will be glad. Most 60s and 70s buildings are IMHO ugly.

I believe that older style architecture was considered less than fashionable not because people thought the buildings were ugly but because they viewed them as old fashioned and were obsessed with progress. Trying to distance Australia from Europe probably played a role as well. 60's and 70's buildings don't have the same charm. They aren't timeless master pieces.

Architecture over time

http://app1.lib.unimelb.edu.au/archives-images/ArchiveImages/OSBA066.jpg
Replaced by
http://www.butterpaper.com/cms/images/604.jpg
www.butterpaper.com/.../1594/shell-house
Replaced by?? Around the year 2050
http://cache2.artprintimages.com/p/LRG/40/4051/38ZLF00Z/art-print/christian-kober-tokyo-mode-gakuen-cocoon-tower-design-school-building-shinjuku-tokyo-japan-asia.jpg
www.art.com/products/p1866340285-sa-i4237945/...
Replaced by?? Around the year 2200
http://cache.virtualtourist.com/2347533-Gran_Via_street-Madrid.jpg
www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Spain/Co...

Although definitely not one of my favourites, there are much worse buildings in Melbourne than Shell house in my opinion, such as 303 Collins as somebody mentioned somewhere. Cannot stand that building at all. Not to mention the Regent Hotel...surely that's up for some kind of reno soon? Building is ferral.

If shell house had towers built up on either side of the corner, i reckon the design could actally work well with the curves.

Regent Hotel ? .........where have you been for the past decade.....probably longer ? If you mean Collins Place the facade is a bit tired....but I hate stuck on aluminium cladding.....or a paint job....so very expensive to do a good job.

But the question is would stuff like phoenix and 35 spring st be going up if that had remained on the "shit house" site? That area really did deserve alot better than shell but at the time shell would have fit in well with the surrounding ugly brown buildings LOL

The building across from SX Tower on the north side of Bourke Street im talking about. Pretty sure it says Regent at the top? Disgusting building.

The building across from SX Tower on the north side of Bourke Street im talking about. Pretty sure it says Regent at the top? Disgusting building.

http://www.auc.edu.au/myimages/auc/Rydges_Melbourne.png

Rydges? Couldn't agree more.

Ahh...Rydges my bad. Same thing lol...

I think future generations will be glad. Most 60s and 70s buildings are IMHO ugly.

I believe that older style architecture was considered less than fashionable not because people thought the buildings were ugly but because they viewed them as old fashioned and were obsessed with progress. Trying to distance Australia from Europe probably played a role as well. 60's and 70's buildings don't have the same charm. They aren't timeless master pieces.


what is so amazing is that you aren't self aware enough to realise that what you've said above is probably almost word for word what someone from the 60's said about those buildings.

lets be 'nice' and call 60's architecture minimilast.

they probably said soem of the following things about the older buildings:
- why did they add all that frilly garbage around the outside
- it looks so dated with that mansard roof
- turret towers are so 19th century
- it isn't functional
- theres so little natural light
- it isn't timeless like this new minimal/functional towers we are building
- it isn't timeless like the clean lines of neo-classical/greek architecture.


Personally I'm not a fan of the brown brick 70's buildings like Rydges/Hilton/former Gas and Fuel BUT some of my favorite buildings in Melbourne are a few of the classic 60/70's office towers largley glass with classic stone (high quality) finishing like St James Place, and the former BHP (now philips fox) building on the opposite corner of Bourke/William.

what is so amazing is that you aren't self aware enough to realise that what you've said above is probably almost word for word what someone from the 60's said about those buildings.

lets be 'nice' and call 60's architecture minimilast.

they probably said soem of the following things about the older buildings:
- why did they add all that frilly garbage around the outside
- it looks so dated with that mansard roof
- turret towers are so 19th century
- it isn't functional
- theres so little natural light
- it isn't timeless like this new minimal/functional towers we are building
- it isn't timeless like the clean lines of neo-classical/greek architecture.


Personally I'm not a fan of the brown brick 70's buildings like Rydges/Hilton/former Gas and Fuel BUT some of my favorite buildings in Melbourne are a few of the classic 60/70's office towers largley glass with classic stone (high quality) finishing like St James Place, and the former BHP (now philips fox) building on the opposite corner of Bourke/William.

I think we can all agree that there are great examples of architecture from every period, I'd add the NGV and a few more glass towers across Collins to to that list.
For me the problem is that while there are classic examples of well built, timless buildings in the post-war period, it seems that was an exeption rather than a common thing, whereas if you look at pre-war and Victorian buildings, everything from the lamposts to little shops to sewerage pumping stations to major banking chambers and early skyscrapers was built to last, and to contribute well the streetscape, and of course all the frilly stuff meant each building had evident craftsmanship and individuality, making it a shame when any were demolished.
whereas the post war attitude has been 'built it quickly and as cheaply as possible' (with some notable exeptions of course)
Your'e right though, It is pretty easy to say these things in hindsight, and who knows the attutudes people will have to lost 70's brown brick classics in years to come.

I like shell

^^ Ahh, the always divisive work of Harry Seidler.

Personally, I don't mind his work (I quite like Riverside Centre and Riparian up here in Brisbane) and in isolation I don't mind Shell House, but I haven't seen it in the context of its surroundings (Riverside and Riparian work well because they complement each other.)

The loss of Tower House is another one for the list of buildings that shouldn't have been knocked down. :bash: But, that said, if Shell House was knocked down as well at some point, in 50+ years people might have been having this same discussion regarding it!

Seidler has designed some of the most dated and boring buildings ever erected in the country IMO.

I like shell house from the front. not so much the back.

^^ Ahh, the always divisive work of Harry Seidler.

Personally, I don't mind his work (I quite like Riverside Centre and Riparian up here in Brisbane) and in isolation I don't mind Shell House, but I haven't seen it in the context of its surroundings (Riverside and Riparian work well because they complement each other.)

The loss of Tower House is another one for the list of buildings that shouldn't have been knocked down. :bash: But, that said, if Shell House was knocked down as well at some point, in 50+ years people might have been having this same discussion regarding it!

Seidler's Brisbane and Sydney buildings imo seem to blend in and 'define' the cityscape and skyline, yet in Melbourne he built to 'deform' the 'scape' by having that great big bare west facing concrete wall being its 'face' for Flinders St. Seidler said himself that he designed it to face away from the city, to be seen as a building 'going at it alone'.

To think that we lost Tower House to Seidler is a nasty thought, but im sure that it had been demolished years before the construction of Shell House, i could be wrong though, at the very least it would've been stripped of all its Victorian adornments and been a sad shadow of its former self.
Its importance to Melbourne's lost heritage streetscapes isn't that great a loss when comparing it to the agony from loosing the likes of the Australia and the Colonial Mutual Buildings or the Federal Coffee Palace, Finks or the fantastic tower atop of the APA building and all the other 'Prell' buildings.
Melbourne has demolished some real gems over the years, Tower House is a minor loss but still a sad loss nevertheless..

twd03 at Walking Melbourne is reporting that the Rosati's development has been approved under the condition that the first 10 meters of the facade is retained.

twd03 at Walking Melbourne is reporting that the Rosati's development has been approved under the condition that the first 10 meters of the facade is retained.

Thats not a bad outcome IMHO.

Sad that most of it will go though.

Thats not a bad outcome IMHO.

Sad that most of it will go though.

I've never been inside, but I've heard its a pretty good example of a post-modern interior design, so I guess it's a shame,but good that the facade and I assume the front floor mosaics will stay, hopefully the new building is sympathetic and creates just as good an interior space as what's going.
I wonder if 10 metre facade includes the rear on duckboard place, that lane is certainly loosing a lot of it's current grungy appeal.
overall though a positive decision by the council.

^^ if the mosaics fall within 10 metres of the front facade, they'll be retained, but the rear of the building onto Duckboard lane might not be as lucky I wouldn't think, as it would be 10 metres of the front facade only, unless rear facade is also specified.

Does this development only involve the Rosati's building, and not the little building against AC DC Lane?

^^ if the mosaics fall within 10 metres of the front facade, they'll be retained, but the rear of the building onto Duckboard lane might not be as lucky I wouldn't think, as it would be 10 metres of the front facade only, unless rear facade is also specified.

Does this development only involve the Rosati's building, and not the little building against AC DC Lane?

Just Rosattis. I'm sure more than a minor fuss would have been kicked up if the building agaisnt ACDC lane housing Cherry Bar (which is 105 Flinders ln) was being demolished/facaded.

108 Flinders Street is 85% sold.

The 27 Little Collins Street display suite is now closed, so demolition should take place within the next few weeks.

^good. thanks for noticing I walked past last night on the way to the statino adn didn't realise!

had thought there was murmurings this was clsoe to construction a couple of months ago and was wondering why it had gone quiet.

Wow they've taken their time with this. Should be a good addition to the paris end and finally provide some residential activity in that area in the future since it is a bit short on that aspect and dominated by commercial towers. About time the paris end got some resi's and it'll really be an exciting, 24 hour part of melbourne with the likes of this, phoenix, 35 spring st etc. Going home today in between flinders st and richmond, i just wanted to whack myself off over Australia's densest cluster of lit up skyscrapers. These resi's will just top it off...

ZARA logo is up on the building in Bourke St Mall!!!!!!!

Video for 108 Flinders Street:

http://108flinders.com.au/video.html

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/photo1-1.jpg

Whats the maxcon job?

Catamaran or whatever its called... Coromandel! Coromandel Lane off Little collins between exhibition and russel.

yeah, Coromandel........

Only 5 apartments left at Phoenix if you believe the ads. Advantage of only having 28 to sell I guess.

ha! got two emails back from the guys at 41 Exhibition Street.
One said construction would "begin in the next month or so" the other said "it will begin in September"...so soon. Maybe..?

Only 5 apartments left at Phoenix if you believe the ads. Advantage of only having 28 to sell I guess.

They're approx $1-1.5million each so they've done well to get 23 sold.

That is over 80 % of luxury apartments for phoenix so judging by that, construction should be well underway within the next 12 months. I just really hope that someone does something about that carpark in between ernst & young and the hotel lindrum as it is such a prime site ripe for development...

It starts in July.

>> should bring it to about 75m overall

123-129 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000

Alterations and additions to the existing building (including the construction of 10 additional storeys) for the purpose of residential apartments, food and drink and waiver of the loading bay requirements

Council reference: TP-2011-290

coromandel

http://oi51.tinypic.com/w5gl4.jpg

http://oi55.tinypic.com/smy5ix.jpg

http://oi56.tinypic.com/bdqkxu.jpg

Been busy with the camera :) Great shots, always nice to see the areas you don't frequent.

:bow:

that coloured wall looks fab - amazing what just a bit of paint does.

It will date quickly, but hey, you just paint over it again in 20 years time when it's out of date!

that coloured wall looks fab - amazing what just a bit of paint does.

It will date quickly, but hey, you just paint over it again in 20 years time when it's out of date!

No need. I'm sure another building will get built next to it in a few years time.

Not sure if there's an individual thread for this one.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/4016/lyons.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/87/lyons.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Been like that for aaages. Hope it falls over to be honest - ugly building.

walked past 27 Little Collins yesterday and this morning. The site has temporary fencing around the outside and looked like the inside had been cleaned of furnishings etc. a few tradies standing out the front this morning.

obviously gettign ready for demolition.

Damn.

^^ I was talking to the management of the Melbourne Club a few days ago who were adament they were still fighting this. Not sure if it was just saving face by saying it and not admitting defeat but I must say I am suprised some of their highly influential members didn't stamp their feet to have this stopped.

^^ The Melbourne Club is on Collins Street, this building is on the corner of Flinders Lane and Exhibition Street with the massive Collins Place between them.
Why would they have any say in whether it gets built or not??

No, we all got confused, including me. JP is refering to the Shereton tower on little collins st. Ran past it this morning. They're doing soft demo.
Nothing is happen to Exhibition and Flinders yet.

^^ Lol, yes both were being discussed and I mixed them up.
I do like the Little Collins Street apartment proposal, stuff the Melbourne Club members! :)

^^ The Little Collins St development at 27 towers over the infamous private gardens at the club, and blocks out an enormous amount of their natural light. They are also concerned about people being able to look down into the private garden.

Don't get me wrong I really want that development built, but they have some very high profile members and am just suprised they haven't got it stopped.

Update on 35 Spring Street from CBUS website:

35 Spring Street, Melbourne. Victoria

The existing 11 storey office building at 35 Spring Street was purchased by Cbus Property in July 2010 with plans for redevelopment as a residential apartment tower.

The site was purchased based on a development proposal prepared for the previous owners by architects, Bates Smart, which consisted of 165 luxury apartments over 39 levels sharing 280 car parking spaces over 6 basement levels and 6 levels of parking above ground. The building design included a ground level restaurant, which would be open to the public, and a facilities level for building residents including a gymnasium and 25m pool.

The existing building is currently leased to the Department of Finance until February 2013, which provides a rental return on the property while Cbus Property finalises building design and obtains the required development approvals.

Situated at the top end of the City the location enjoys the amenity of some of Melbourne’s finest restaurants and a close proximity to Melbourne’s theatre scene. The Building will also enjoy commanding views over the adjacent Fitzroy gardens.

Cbus Property anticipates that demolition and construction will commence in early 2013, following a apartment pre-sales campaign, and building works will be completed in Late 2015.

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6134/5626134,20100225112833,p,600x800,ImageD.jpg

don't tell me that's a car park podium on Spring Street?? please no.

I love it's sharpness and simplicity. Quality of glass will have the greatest impact and hopefully it turns out just like the render.
Doesn't look like a car park podium to me though. They've definitely got glass on those lower levels and that would be unusual.

I like it. A good way of integrating balconies into the design too. I really like how they are flush with the glass parts of the building.

I actually really like what's currently there :(

for some reason grollos pic isn't showing up. all his others do for me...

is it the pre CBus design?

link please.

I like it too :)

for some reason grollos pic isn't showing up. all his others do for me...

is it the pre CBus design?

link please.

Yes, its the original design by Bates Smart.

So it sounds like CBus may have changed the design on this one, so the above render may just be invalid now :(
I hope not.

CBUS have stated that they are finalising the building design which usually means the final design will be the same general concept but may look quite different.

Coromandel

July 6 2011

Crane visible from Bourke Street.

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5193/img8872o.jpg
By fabianamuso (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/fabianamuso) at 2011-07-14

One would think that 35 spring st would be upwards of one million dollars on the upper floors considering the views residents will get.
Seriously, what's there at the moment is an ugly brown building and deserves to be demolished. It's not excactly in the same league as the windsor hotel which deserves the protection of the highest order

Phoenix set to start construction very soon.

/\/\OMFG...can't wait for Phoenix

Im not sold on Phoneix's slab concrete side to the East, even if they do paint it. I've not seen renders for the other sides.

But there's windows and the fluro strip on the eastern side....and as far as i know the western side as well.
The northern side won't matter so much...hardly anyone will see it.

i was in New York recently and i spotted this building somewhere in midtown that made me excited for Phoenix. It it also one apartment per floor.

It looked so so much taller because it was very slender.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/sorryspeilberg/IMG_1733.jpg

^^ great building. It almost looks like a render :)

Fencing has gone up around 27 Little Collins Street.

108 Flinders St really is taking it's time it seems

I think it utilizes the UBS form of construction so should fly up.

^^ it does - it appears its teh selling of the apartments that is the issue though.

given Mr Fender was suggesting unitized building was a good way to cut costs in construction I was surprised at the cost of apartments in 108 Flinders when I had a look, barely anything starting with a 3 for 1 bedders without carparking. compared to Phoenix apartmenst which started at about $700k for 2 bedders on your own floor and with parking value wasn't there.

^^ 85% sold and phoenix has two floors left

Prices of many apartments are shockingly high. Its hardly unexpected unfortunately.

I dont think the savings from the improved construction process get passed onto buyers, they generally just add to the profit margin. Then the developer can claim that the owner is living in a 'unique' apartment :lol:

41-43 Exhibition Street, 21-level commercial
http://www.planningalerts.org.au/applications/104514

That application is just for some amendments to the plans already approved for the tower on the site.

Ammendment as in height increase? Be nice to see an increase in density of office developments as it feels like ages

Coromandel:
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/P7243176.jpg

27 Little Collins Street:
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/P7243177.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/P7243178.jpg

108 Flinders: Construction commencing in september apparently...
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/e923b5da.jpg

171 Collins:
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/d5633e95.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/6d16e1af.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/a667a256.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/db774a57.jpg

coromandel
http://oi56.tinypic.com/2955lht.jpg

http://oi52.tinypic.com/2dum1e1.jpg

http://oi53.tinypic.com/wbyr13.jpg

http://oi53.tinypic.com/kvlgn.jpg

^^ Thanks for the updates Silver.

I don't mind this one.

FRENCH fashion house Chanel is speculated to be paying about $9 million for a Paris-end CBD property owned and occupied for 30 years by the Church of Scientology.

Chanel, which currently leases a shop at 209 Collins Street at the City Square complex nearby, is expected to relocate to the historic four-level, 1377-square-metre building at 42 Russell Street on the north-east corner of Flinders Lane and abutting the recently refurbished Grand Hyatt Hotel.

The church paid $720,000 for the building in 1980, but sold it for $7.4 million last May to a consortium including local property developer David Marriner, who coincidentally redeveloped the City Square mixed-use complex where Chanel is a tenant.

Advertisement: Story continues below
Detail of a Chanel design.
The church twice famously abandoned plans to sell 42 Russell Street, leaving prospective bidders waiting at scheduled auctions in 2005, and then in 2008 - when the asset was expected to sell for about $8 million. It was at about this time that the church paid $7 million for the former Sisters of Mercy College in Ascot Vale, which it renovated and relocated to eight months ago.

Last December, Mr Marriner proposed to demolish the church's former Russell Street building and replace it with a 25-level hotel with 100 guest suites above lower-level retail. A redevelopment application has been lodged with the City of Melbourne council and is being assessed.

A representative from Chanel Australia was unavailable to comment.

Any deal would be another show of confidence for Melbourne's retail sector. In recent months, Spanish brand Zara and British giants Topshop and Topman have committed to retail premises here



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/property/chanel-buying-former-scientology-centre-20110819-1j2dn.html#ixzz1VXgA8GY9

^ I thought I recalled a Hotel was being build on stilts on top of that Russell st building?

Topshop. Interesting. Where's it going?

27 ltC, looking forward to this one

where paris meets....
http://oi56.tinypic.com/34g7gqs.jpg

delta
http://oi54.tinypic.com/lgunr.jpg

Scotts Church site has got Westpac. Bugger.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6170861210_cdb476a8ac_b.jpg

What a let down, thats such a shiit development, fck GROCON............

Scotts Church site has got Westpac. Bugger.

+1 :ohno:
more low rise office park crap replacing historic buildings, brillaint. notice how the article only says its the site of a carpark, but fails to mention the other two previously heritage listed buildings on the site.

http://www.melbourneheritage.org.au/threatened/images/Scots-Church-Hall.jpg

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/NR1of1-4.jpg

http://www.iconconstruction.com.au/images/uploads/scotschurch.jpg

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/NR1of1-5.jpg

From the render it even looks like it's just an empty space going where the church hall is.

Oh well, it's good for denisty i guess. I don't think they had much other choice than to choose this tower without leaving the CBD which is not what they wanted. It would have been this or 567 Collins Street I suppose...I know which one i'd prefer.

I cant believe they are demolishing that beautiful historic brick building for a campus style. Having said that this is a site where u probably couldnt go much higher. I didnt realise westpac were in the market for new space and was of the belief that they were staying put at 360 collins st.

Could have gone to quattro and ensured a 38 story office tower for site D. Woulda been a disaster had they gone to 399 Bourke st.

I cant believe they are demolishing that beautiful historic brick building for a campus style. Having said that this is a site where u probably couldnt go much higher. I didnt realise westpac were in the market for new space and was of the belief that they were staying put at 360 collins st.

Could have gone to quattro and ensured a 38 story office tower for site D. Woulda been a disaster had they gone to 399 Bourke st.

with 120 collins across the road though? I guess there might be height limits on this side of the st. if they buildings were being lost for another 120 Collins it would be worth it.
but it would be so easy to use the existing building with an office tower behind, or facades at least, just a few buildings down is one of the largest examples of that in the world I think (T&G), I think this intact row of buildings leads off well from that part of Collins st and frames the church well, not sure if I can say the same of the replacement.

+1 :ohno:
more low rise office park crap replacing historic buildings, brillaint. notice how the article only says its the site of a carpark, but fails to mention the other two previously heritage listed buildings on the site.



Oh, can heritage listed buildings be taken off the list? Under what conditions?

Oh, can heritage listed buildings be taken off the list? Under what conditions?

I dont know if they were on the state heritage list (the art-deco carpark was though, and I think they are retaining the facade of it on little collins st)
but were on the CoM list, and obviously removed to make way for development.
I think this was another development Justin Madden 'called in'.
Lonsdale house was also on the Victorian Heritage Register, but I guess the planning minister has power to overrule that quite easily


oldish article
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/fury-over-church-car-park-demolition/2007/08/23/1187462438762.html
A DECADE-LONG battle over one of the city's prime heritage sites has been resolved, after Planning Minister Justin Madden gave Scots' Church the go-ahead to bulldoze a popular shopping precinct and replace it with an office tower.

Retailers in Little Collins Street are furious at Mr Madden's decision to allow the trustees of Scots' Church to demolish a heritage-listed car park on the corner of Russell and Little Collins streets.

Only the front nine metres of the curved, art deco Little Collins Street car park will be kept. The rest, including an adjoining building that houses clothing boutiques, will be demolished to make way for a 13-storey office block.

"This is just absolutely criminal. It will kill this strip," said Raphael Kara, the spokesman for the Little Collins Street Precinct group and owner of the Verve cafe and clothes store.

Mr Kara's group represents a range of fashion boutiques, cafes and restaurants, including the well-known Il Bacaro restaurant, in the street.

Mr Kara said the new retail precinct — to be built on the ground floor of the office tower — would destroy the precinct retailers had worked so hard to develop over the past decade, promoted by Melbourne City Council as "heaven for fashionistas with sartorial flair".

"What they are going to replace us with is Chadstone-on-Little-Collins," Mr Kara said. "None of us are interested in coming back once it's done."

The plan has also drawn the ire of heritage groups and parishioners at Scots' Church, Melbourne's oldest Presbyterian church.

The church has entered into a joint venture with the developer APN Funds Management, which will redevelop the site on a 99-year lease. Architects Peddle Thorp have designed the tower.

Former architect Derek Edgerton, who has been a member of the church's congregation for more than 40 years and is on the church's board of management, described the move as similar to "selling the family's silver".

He said the proposed office tower would obscure views of the church from Russell Street and affect light coming in through the church's stained-glass windows.

"We are selling our birthright as Esau did to Jacob," he said, referring to the biblical Book of Genesis.

Ministerial approval for the project comes after 10 years of wrangling. An earlier plan for a hotel on the site, approved by Kennett-era planning minister Rob Maclellan, never came to fruition because of a disagreement within the church over alcohol on church property.

The project, which is expected to commence next year, will take around 18 months to complete.

Melbourne City Council planning chairwoman Catherine Ng said she supported the plan and was keen to see it go ahead.

Members at Scots' Church must vote on the plan before it can proceed. The chairwoman of Scots' Church Properties Trust, Rae Anstee, said last night the project had "the overwhelming support of the congregation".

The income from the property deal would allow the church to complete badly needed preservation work on the heritage-listed assembly hall, Ms Anstee said.

"The income will preserve for future generations two very important heritage buildings, namely the Scots' Church and the Assembly Hall," she said.

The church paid $720,000 for the building in 1980, but sold it for $7.4 million last May to a consortium including local property developer David Marriner, who coincidentally redeveloped the City Square mixed-use complex where Chanel is a tenant.

Bugger, so they're even wealthier than before. :bash: More dianetics tests on the way! More crazy celebs! LRon's head is smiling from whatever cryogenic freezer it currenty occupies.

with 120 collins across the road though? I guess there might be height limits on this side of the st. if they buildings were being lost for another 120 Collins it would be worth it.
but it would be so easy to use the existing building with an office tower behind, or facades at least, just a few buildings down is one of the largest examples of that in the world I think (T&G), I think this intact row of buildings leads off well from that part of Collins st and frames the church well, not sure if I can say the same of the replacement.

Since it's grocon building it, then there may very well be a height limit as they also built 120 collins st which commands office views as a result of being an A-grade building. The particular reason why 108 Flinders st is so short as not to deny views from 101 collins st. I agree with the age article that it will kill the area of establihsed shops and replace it with some artificial retail shit. I personally would have rathered it stay as it is rather than build something awful like this on Collins st.

Since it's grocon building it, then there may very well be a height limit as they also built 120 collins st which commands office views as a result of being an A-grade building. The particular reason why 108 Flinders st is so short as not to deny views from 101 collins st. I agree with the age article that it will kill the area of establihsed shops and replace it with some artificial retail shit. I personally would have rathered it stay as it is rather than build something awful like this on Collins st.

funny thing about it too is it isn't even on Collins st ( though you might just be abe to see it from Collins st) unless the church itself is now considered part of the office building.

Thanks for the info on height limits and other towers view rights, so basically they pay other properties to keep heights down?
and yes I agree, I doubt it will be as tragic as the retailers are making out, but it's not in character with what's been built up (including by the City of Melbourne) little Collins boutique wise in recent years, not to mention a whole pre-war streetscape gobbled up and the feel of Little Collins (till now totally heritage streetscape on that side) dominated by this development.
so many potential uses for a building like that brick one, or even the carpark (how cool would a carpark bar be :P )
yet again people with too little imagination making decisions.
I'm trying to sound like less of a NIMBY when I post on this forum, but I hope this one has problems getting finalised.

shit.

(Bank of New South) Wales House has been Westpac's home for......... 30? 40? years?

funny thing about it too is it isn't even on Collins st ( though you might just be abe to see it from Collins st) unless the church itself is now considered part of the office building.

Thanks for the info on height limits and other towers view rights, so basically they pay other properties to keep heights down?

Maybe one of the more experienced members of this site may be able to clarify it better than i can but i'm pretty sure that grollo purchased neighbouring sites then sold them off to developers under the provision that the A grade office buildings retain their views

yet again people with too little imagination making decisions.
I'm trying to sound like less of a NIMBY when I post on this forum, but I hope this one has problems getting finalised.

We've both read the article. The church need the money, council are for it and westpac are pretty much ready to go so it's hard to see this project not going ahead unfortunately.

that costs 1/4 billion - geesh!! beauty is all in the eye of the beholder i suppose.

Tidy CBD parcel
IT MAY have taken a few weeks, but the Returned and Services League has finally sold a former sub-branch at 27 Windsor Place, behind the Windsor Hotel, in the CBD.

The 1895 property passed in at auction earlier this month but sold this week for $2.45 million.

Sources say the buyer is a tenant at the nearby 80 Collins Street office building, and plans to owner-occupy 27 Windsor Place, which was only fitted out as offices in 2007.

Until that time, the building had been identified as one of the CBD's few surviving houses.

Alexander Robertson's Kristian Peatling and Warwick Bramich marketed the property for the RSL.

The sale price includes a 14-square-metre parcel of adjoining land which has the potential for development.



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/property/nostarter-as-corcoris-scratches-pakenham-20110930-1l1h3.html#ixzz1ZUGKX3z1

http://artisanarchitects.com.au/slir/?h=470&i=http://artisanarchitects.com.au/images/361.jpg

http://artisanarchitects.com.au/slir/?h=470&i=http://artisanarchitects.com.au/images/362.jpg

Mixed Use Redevelopment
The Walk Arcade
309 – 325 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Status: Construction starting December 2011

Situated in the heart of the Melbourne CBD on the Bourke Street Mall, this project involves the refurbishment of seven existing buildings above the Walk Arcade and the construction of a new 10 storey building on Bourke Street.

Once completed, the development will provide 466 new apartments and 1500m2 of extra retail space in the mall.

The project presents a well-considered response to the difficulty of placing a residential complex in the heart of a commercial precinct.

The new 10 storey building uses a vertical screen to provide visual privacy to the apartments as well as sun protection. At the lower level, the screen is used as a backdrop to a full size photographic image of the building that occupied the space in the 1920s.

At night time, the new building will become a lantern on Bourke Street Mall with the screen revealing the activities behind.

^^ Does this mean an end to those shocking 1980s brown awnings?

THIIS ISS GOOD NEWS!

Some of the older buildings of the central CBD are an absolute disgrace and needs immediate adressing. Elizabeth and swanston needs adressing in that regard too. I'd even say that this issue is more important to me than skyscrapers. Doesn't seem like a cheap project however but good that the 7 existing buildings in the arcade are being fixed up...

Its good those 7 buildings are getting a refurb. Its a shame the developer isn't pushing the boundary a bit. 10 storeys for a new building in the middle of the CBD is a major underdevelopment. Hopefully this leads to more ambitious refurbishments and new developments around Swanston/Bourke Streets.

Its good those 7 buildings are getting a refurb. Its a shame the developer isn't pushing the boundary a bit. 10 storeys for a new building in the middle of the CBD is a major underdevelopment. Hopefully this leads to more ambitious refurbishments and new developments around Swanston/Bourke Streets.

C'mon, you can't put a tower in the middle of the Bourke St Mall. I'd be amazed if 10 storeys isn't the height limit there already.

But yes - those buildings are looking shabby, and even if they weren't touching the building themselves, losing the awning will improve the streetscape a million percent. Love the new building referencing the old and in perfect sympathy with its neighbours. Serious thumbs up.

They don't say anything about actually refurbing the arcade itself, but they surely will be. Taking a stroll through there at the moment is like wandering through 1982.

[img]At night time, the new building will become a lantern on Bourke Street Mall with the screen revealing the activities behind.

umm... does that mean at night the people living there will be on disply, ala big brother to the people on teh street???

Looks like they are refurbsihing all the Bourke Street Mall buildings, event the 1960s one at the eastern end of the group. But I am not too sure if re-building a Victorian era building is a good idea.

Looks like they are refurbsihing all the Bourke Street Mall buildings, event the 1960s one at the eastern end of the group. But I am not too sure if re-building a Victorian era building is a good idea.

Not exactly rebuilding, but referencing it is brilliant, depending on how the image will be made I guess, it does look a bit silly floating above the open shopfront in that render (it's currently referenced by the outlines of its chimneys and roofs you can see on the buildings next to it) a disgrace it was demolished for an empty hole in the first place.

getting rid of that brown awning is absolutely fantasic, hopefully a trend starts for more minimal awnings throughout the CBD
is that a rooftop garden going on top of 'Diamond House'?

Same location
1950s
2011

http://www.flickr.com/photos/acstudio/5778654955/

^^ Has changed quite a bit over the years :)

http://artisanarchitects.com.au/slir/?h=470&i=http://artisanarchitects.com.au/images/361.jpg

http://artisanarchitects.com.au/slir/?h=470&i=http://artisanarchitects.com.au/images/362.jpg

.

whats the source of the images and article?

whats the source of the images and article?

http://artisanarchitects.com.au/index.php?id=12

http://artisanarchitects.com.au/index.php?id=12

Cheers

This is a very good development for the Bourke St Mall and its well overdue imo.
Please oh please can the next to be re-developed be that horrid Centre Point Mall or whatever it is called now, so vile..

That's good news! Another thumbs up to it from here as well. Agreed with the arcade being a blast to the past (and not a good one too). Actually reminds me of walking through a small 1980s shopping centre in Boronia!

Is the building going to have a carpark for the residents, if so, how will they access it? Presumably from the back through a laneway?

the development goes all the way through to little collins street so if there were a carpark it could be accessed off that.

i've seen the plans but don't recall carparking tbh.

Ah thanks for that, didn't realise that it was going to be that long. Now sort of feeling silly when I realise that the arcade is part of the redevelopment which no doubt goes to the laneway anyway.

I'd expect there to be no carparks for that one. Looks good to me. Just don't touch The Causeway and we won't have any problems.....

Not sure where a carpark entrance would go. The Causeway is obviously a no go (pedestrian anyway) and a carpark entrance on Little Collins would also be very bad for the pedestrianised vibe it has (and I think its blocked off to traffic for a few days in the week anyway)

http://artisanarchitects.com.au/slir/?h=470&i=http://artisanarchitects.com.au/images/361.jpg

http://artisanarchitects.com.au/slir/?h=470&i=http://artisanarchitects.com.au/images/362.jpg

Mixed Use Redevelopment
The Walk Arcade
309 – 325 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Status: Construction starting December 2011

Situated in the heart of the Melbourne CBD on the Bourke Street Mall, this project involves the refurbishment of seven existing buildings above the Walk Arcade and the construction of a new 10 storey building on Bourke Street.

Once completed, the development will provide 466 new apartments and 1500m2 of extra retail space in the mall.

The project presents a well-considered response to the difficulty of placing a residential complex in the heart of a commercial precinct.

The new 10 storey building uses a vertical screen to provide visual privacy to the apartments as well as sun protection. At the lower level, the screen is used as a backdrop to a full size photographic image of the building that occupied the space in the 1920s.

At night time, the new building will become a lantern on Bourke Street Mall with the screen revealing the activities behind.

Nice to see the end of that disgusting old awning. Why is it that the uglies buildings never seem to have trees in front of them (think latrobe st). Wouldn't mind seeing some trees here.

That 10 story building is pretty boring but ok i guess

Have to say that I like the look of this! It unifies the buildings, fills that big ugly gap pays homage to a building that should never have been lost! It gets a big thumbs up from me!

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/16/267w.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/444/267w.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/4863/268y.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/543/268y.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Good to see Sheraton returning to Melbourne again!

http://artisanarchitects.com.au/slir/?h=470&i=http://artisanarchitects.com.au/images/361.jpg

http://artisanarchitects.com.au/slir/?h=470&i=http://artisanarchitects.com.au/images/362.jpg



I took this today as a reminder of how dark and gloomy it currently appears. Should be a vast improvement.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/7449/img2733jl.jpg

Such an improvement. Especially at street level with the removal of those damn awnings. Really streamlines and modernises it and plays well with the heritage elements.

@Erektion, Wow thought that the redevelopment looked pretty average, but seeing whats there now, its a great improvement.
Whats with Australia's obsession with ugly awnings?

Australia does ugly well, its what we do..lol

I don't get it personally. There's some misconception that it's always raining here and we need protection. This is going to really brighten up the mall considerably.
I also noticed that the new building appears to have a new Victorian section rising about 3 stories. Nice

Well its a real shame. I have seen some great buildings in Australia, but you cant truly appreciate them because they have a great big ugly awning attached.
I have seen a few projects in Sydney, where they have removed the awning, reviling an amazing facade, and its not only made the building look great, but brighten up the street.
However, I have been living in Australia for nearly 6 months, and havent seen too much Aussie sunshine... but Aussie are tough and dont need awnings?

I also noticed that the new building appears to have a new Victorian section rising about 3 stories. Nice

I understood from the article that the first 3 floors are a projection of a photograph of the former building, which will look great and at least show something of the heritage that was there.

Well its a real shame. I have seen some great buildings in Australia, but you cant truly appreciate them because they have a great big ugly awning attached.
I have seen a few projects in Sydney, where they have removed the awning, reviling an amazing facade, and its not only made the building look great, but brighten up the street.
However, I have been living in Australia for nearly 6 months, and havent seen too much Aussie sunshine... but Aussie are tough and dont need awnings?

Even the Italians I work with thought Australia was hot and sunny all the time without a winter, something like Brazil.

Where do people get this misconception from?? Is it an advert?

^^^^ pretty much! Most Americans only think of the Opera House, the outback and beaches, with endless blue skies. But a bit of rain is really not enough to get me to move back... those awnings though? lol
Also, the rain in Australia smells so nice, and fresh... so KNOCK DOWN THOSE AWNINGS!

A planning application has been submitted for this development. Noit sure if it is the same design.

Update on 35 Spring Street from CBUS website:

35 Spring Street, Melbourne. Victoria

The existing 11 storey office building at 35 Spring Street was purchased by Cbus Property in July 2010 with plans for redevelopment as a residential apartment tower.

The site was purchased based on a development proposal prepared for the previous owners by architects, Bates Smart, which consisted of 165 luxury apartments over 39 levels sharing 280 car parking spaces over 6 basement levels and 6 levels of parking above ground. The building design included a ground level restaurant, which would be open to the public, and a facilities level for building residents including a gymnasium and 25m pool.

The existing building is currently leased to the Department of Finance until February 2013, which provides a rental return on the property while Cbus Property finalises building design and obtains the required development approvals.

Situated at the top end of the City the location enjoys the amenity of some of Melbourne’s finest restaurants and a close proximity to Melbourne’s theatre scene. The Building will also enjoy commanding views over the adjacent Fitzroy gardens.

Cbus Property anticipates that demolition and construction will commence in early 2013, following a apartment pre-sales campaign, and building works will be completed in Late 2015.

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6134/5626134,20100225112833,p,600x800,ImageD.jpg

I actaully really like the existing building on that spot :(

Sheraton looks pretty decent for this section of lil Collinshttp://buchan.com.au/images/sized/images/tbg-projects/hotels_resorts/sheraton_hotel_melbourne/sheratonhotel_004-46x46.jpg

urgh fail

However, I have been living in Australia for nearly 6 months, and havent seen too much Aussie sunshine... but Aussie are tough and dont need awnings?

It might have something to do with the fact you came here at the start of our winter months??

Wait for the wet season in Summer... February time of year. When it rains, it rains - usually followed by a nice big storm.

Anyway, the smaller project above and the removal of the vile awning - love it.

Anyone else notice that one of my fav proposals won't open or maybe it's just my laptop

Wait for the wet season in Summer... February time of year. When it rains, it rains - usually followed by a nice big storm.

Anyway, the smaller project above and the removal of the vile awning - love it.

Umm since when do we have a wet season? January and February are our hottest and driest months barring the odd occasion where we get some moisture from the north. What have u been smoking :nuts:

^^ Up here in Brisbane and further north we do have a proper wet season/storm season in Summer, but it's only the areas closer to the tropics that gets it. Melbourne's weather is just plain unpredictable! :-P

Anyone else notice that one of my fav proposals won't open or maybe it's just my laptop



Umm since when do we have a wet season? January and February are our hottest and driest months barring the odd occasion where we get some moisture from the north. What have u been smoking :nuts:

Dime was talking to Matie who resides in Sydney. Yes they have a mild wet season at that time of year.

Oh yes the dreaded wet season when most queenslanders really do question the terms "Sunshine State" and "beautiful one day, perfect the next" what a crock. 500mm, airport closed, highway closed, 8 bridges between my house and town under 2m of water and the never ending dengue fever ads on tv - Absolutely devine *deep sarcasm* :P thats my whinge for the day.

Anyone else notice that one of my fav proposals won't open or maybe it's just my laptop



Umm since when do we have a wet season? January and February are our hottest and driest months barring the odd occasion where we get some moisture from the north. What have u been smoking :nuts:

I might be having the same problem myself ?
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3746/cimg4148g.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/cimg4148g.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

The drilling equipment has arrived at Phoenix and work has started as of today...

At Phoenix? Don,t they need to demiolish first?

Demo existing 1st. Can someone confirm drill rig requirements, I.e. Geo testing? Builder hasn't yet to be confined too.

The drilling equipment has arrived at Phoenix and work has started as of today...

i walked past there a week ago... demo hasn't even started. You must be confusing the site with another.

So has demolition finnished ? I didn't even know it had started..

i walked past there a week ago... demo hasn't even started. You must be confusing the site with another.

It was definetely parked outside the phoenix site and it was definetely drilling equipment. That's all there is to report. I was tentative about posting this coz i feel like i'm having a qantas moment :ohno:

So has demolition finnished ? I didn't even know it had started..

Just walked past Phoenix, demo hasn't commenced, looks the same as usual...

It is far easier to conduct a drilling program when there isn't a building present onsite. And yes, this site will most definitely require geotechnical and possibly environment testing prior to construction.

Potentially it was just parked there while the driver ran into Iga for a big m.

Well there were a couple of men standing around the site but no action actually on it. The engine of the vehicle was still running however...

Permit for the Greek tower on Lonsdale submitted :)
http://ex.melbourne.vic.gov.au/icompasweb/picker.asp?permit=TP-2011-880

27 Little Collins - Demolition taking it's sweet time, but finally some progress...
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/4568766a.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/22badabe.jpghttp://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/585bbe5e.jpg

can't be bothered trying to find a thread for 35 Spring Street but the new proposal Grollo mentioned a few weeks back is about 140-150m

nowhere near as nice as the previous permitted proposal silvery glass but quite boxy.

will try and upload something this week.

can't be bothered trying to find a thread for 35 Spring Street but the new proposal Grollo mentioned a few weeks back is about 140-150m

nowhere near as nice as the previous permitted proposal silvery glass but quite boxy.

will try and upload something this week.

There is no thread yet. Don't tell me this freaking thing has been dumbed down on such a prime site :ohno:

www.theage.com.au/victoria/fourth-estate-is-top-real-estate-20111107-1n3u0.html

http://images.theage.com.au/2011/11/08/2758162/art-353-gallery-200x0.jpg

Fourth estate is top real estate
Josh Gordon, Jason Dowling
November 8, 2011

Victorian Parliament Press Gallery at on level 9 35 Spring St Melbourne. The Building is to be demolished to make way for a new residential/retali development.

A CONSPIRACY theorist might see it as a cunning plan to avoid journalistic scrutiny. For property developers, however, it is simply an opportunity too good to pass up.

The Spring Street building that has housed the journalists who have grilled governments and oppositions for the past nine years is likely to be demolished to make way for a 42-storey residential tower.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy is considering a planning application by developer Urbis to tear down the brown, 11-storey, modular building that sits opposite Treasury Gardens to replace it with a 180-apartment complex.

If successful, the state press gallery, opened in 2002 by the then premier Steve Bracks and opposition leader Denis Napthine, would be moved to yet another location, having been moved twice previously to different locations at Treasury Place.

It remains unclear whether alternative accommodation has been arranged, or, as one commentator joked, whether the building's inhabitants will be informed before the wrecking balls arrive.

Bill Birnbauer, a former state political reporter with The Age who now lectures at Monash University, said the press gallery should be located close to Parliament.

''The more access that journalists have both at Parliament and elsewhere with politicians, I think the better.''

One government source noted that although press freedom was an important consideration, options for relocation could include placing the media in a ''dirigible with observation deck''.

Didn't take a pic, but piling was taking place at 27 Little Collins today.

http://media.architecturemedia.com/site_media/media/cache/a2/09/a209681a81dbf3523623a2a65f91a0fe.jpghttp://media.architecturemedia.com/site_media/media/cache/1c/7a/1c7a8f449b4afb816ba6d429fa0b769b.jpg

imminent start for 41 exhibition, hickory is the builder

Totally forgot about this one. Will be another great filler for the east. I think it may look better in real life than in the render, the RMIT academic building seems to have turned out pretty good.

Anyone know what's happening with 108 Flinders or Pheonix? Pretty sure they were meant to start in September...?

Can't wait for 41 Exhibition

^^ I'm not so excited about it, generally because I think it will not age well. It already has abit of a 70's vibe to the design for some reason.

I said from the start that I was a fan. I like the 70's throw back and it's also very RMIT to me. I love how we experiment with design here. It's certainly out there with both hits and misses. It gives us a very different architectural feel which overall I think is a very positive thing.

Not the biggest fan. At all.

Totally agree with erektion, i think it will add some great diversity and interesting design which is what makes melbourne's architecture slightly different to the rest of australia's cbds.

Do we know the height of this one? 80-90 meters?

Not the biggest fan. At all.

gimmicky 'featurism" (to quote Boyd)

demo is underway for 41 ex.

27 Little Collins:
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/340db2ca.jpg

According to it's website, 108 Flinders Street has begun construction. Must be talking about demolition...

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/1-1.png

According to it's website, 108 Flinders Street has begun construction. Must be talking about demolition...

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/1-1.png

This is a render I haven't seen before. Am I totally wrong or does it looks like they are incorporating the brick wall at the end along Duckboard Place now? (sans pointing girl and street art in render)
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4102/4767616931_a65c684161_z.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goosmurf/
or perhaps it's just orange glass.
anyway it looks like a good design, will do wonders for Flinders St. would hope for those livinf there the windows closest to Cherry Bar are triple-glazed and whatever cafe's or bars they put in the lane are complimentary to the grungy vibe.

tyhat render makes the back look a lot more promising than what I recall.

tyhat render makes the back look a lot more promising than what I recall.

Yes. Hints of retaining the brick facade at least at ground floor, although indistict.

Walked past 108 Flinders yesterday, demolition has definitely begun. Lots of workers on site.

Is this the updated version of 39 Spring Street?
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/35-spring-street-redevelopment.jpg

it looks about right.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/grocon-new-westpac-state-headquarters-in-collins-st/story-fn7j19iv-1226222273553

CLICK LINK TO SEE RENDER WITH WESTPAC LOGO

WESTPAC will move its Victorian headquarters into new digs when a 12-level office tower being built by Grocon at 150 Collins Street is finished in 2014.

The bank yesterday confirmed speculation that it would move into the tower, to be developed behind Scots Church.

It has signed a 12-year lease with developers APN and Grocon for 14,000 sq m of space over nine levels.

The Peddle Thorpe-designed building will be integrated with the two heritage landmarks either side of it - the church and The Assembly Hall.

Sydney-based Westpac currently has staff at offices at both 360 and 367 Collins St. Westpac, which will have more than 70 per cent of the building's floor space, will be the anchor tenant.

Grocon and APN say the new building will have a six-star environmental rating thanks to its "climate-responsive architecture and advanced green technology".

APN property managing director David Blight said his firm had worked for more than a decade with the Scots Church Trust on the redevelopment options for the site, which is now a multi-level car park.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/grocon-new-westpac-state-headquarters-in-collins-st/story-fn7j19iv-1226222273553

CLICK LINK TO SEE RENDER WITH WESTPAC LOGO

WESTPAC will move its Victorian headquarters into new digs when a 12-level office tower being built by Grocon at 150 Collins Street is finished in 2014.

The bank yesterday confirmed speculation that it would move into the tower, to be developed behind Scots Church.

It has signed a 12-year lease with developers APN and Grocon for 14,000 sq m of space over nine levels.

The Peddle Thorpe-designed building will be integrated with the two heritage landmarks either side of it - the church and The Assembly Hall.

Sydney-based Westpac currently has staff at offices at both 360 and 367 Collins St. Westpac, which will have more than 70 per cent of the building's floor space, will be the anchor tenant.

Grocon and APN say the new building will have a six-star environmental rating thanks to its "climate-responsive architecture and advanced green technology".

APN property managing director David Blight said his firm had worked for more than a decade with the Scots Church Trust on the redevelopment options for the site, which is now a multi-level car park.

A lot of folks made a big, hairy deal about 171 Collins with reference to St Pauls...even though 171 is a number of city blocks removed from the immediate environs of St Pauls...then this one, which is hard up against the actual property line and very close to the Scots church...seemingly MUCH more problematic, in my opinion..and there is little kerfuffle...

^^ i agree! what a shity shit shitstain of an outcome

End of an era for Wales House. And god what a shit development.

I like how they only mention 'mulit-storey carpark', ignoring the other 3 buildings on the site and a laneway being demolished, and the fact that the art-deco carpark was considered good enough for Heritage Victoria listing a few years ago.

bad news, crappy lowrise office box, could easily intergrate all the heritage on the site, but too lazy to. :ohno: currently the entire block is the only one still entirely pre-war, including an intact streetscape all up Russell st to here, all down Little Collins etc... I totally agree the time spent on 171 Collins was pointless, when this will have a much greater impact on the surrounding are and especially views of the Church and the ambience of that stretch of Collins st.
should look shamefull next to the T&G and those Kalisadis apartments across the road over the brick 60's building (both successful mixes of old and new)
and it looks like they are just putting empty space where the Scots Church Hall is!! not even using the space for something decent.
Boring filler crap going into one of Melbournes most important blocks and a thriving boutique precinct
Here are some photos of what's going.
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/GH9of34.jpg

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/GH28of34.jpg

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/GH12of34.jpg

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/GH15of34.jpg

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/GH11of34.jpg

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/GH13of34.jpg

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/GH27of34.jpg

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/GH1of34.jpg


1930's extension of the church below being demolished for 'entrance' to collins st, built in same style and materials as church in a sympathetic way, Heritage Victoria said they couldn't demolish it but of course Justin Madden overulled.
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/GH8of34.jpg
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/GH6of34.jpg
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/GH34of34.jpg

From the render it's not clear the existing street frontages are being fully de,molished... I'll be interested to see some street level renders.

The building that was originally proposed was an OK design which is why it got approved.

But yet again a developer has got approval to demolish heritage buildings based on the design quality of the replacement building and then been alowed to dumb it down after they get their permit.

Six star engery rating is pretty standard these days so that should no longer be an exceuse for crappy design in other areas or demolishing heritage buildings.

It looks like it may be on stilts to protect the ground level. You can see some space between the old buildings and the new building on top in the bottom left hand side of the building...Although that could just be the perspective of the render. It says 12 levels, but there are clearly 15 plus plant shown in the render, not including the ground below it, so maybe it is being built on top of the older buildings?

Design is meh. I like it more than the previous render though, looks a fair bit taller too.

My God what a horrid result :(

Ugh what a terrible outcome. I hate it when great extensions aren't given proper protection. Same thing happened with the Melbourne Hotel in Perth - 1990s extension was done so well that it looked like part of the original heritage building but was allowed to be demolished.

FAIL.

belongs in Docklands or out in the proverbial Mulgrave

It looks like it may be on stilts to protect the ground level. You can see some space between the old buildings and the new building on top in the bottom left hand side of the building...Although that could just be the perspective of the render. It says 12 levels, but there are clearly 15 plus plant shown in the render, not including the ground below it, so maybe it is being built on top of the older buildings?

Design is meh. I like it more than the previous render though, looks a fair bit taller too.

Your'e right, its a bit hard to tell, but from what I can gather the whole site is to be demolished,especially the church extension, as demolishing it technically gives this tower a 'Collins St address' this really is back to bad planning mistakes from 40 years ago for the sake of real estate position IMO, just like the gaping hole made for Nauru house to have a Collins st entrance..
from this render, which looks simialar to the new one, looks like the Factory building on corner replaced by a bit of token masonry, and church hall and deco car park is blank space for flowerbeds or something? but Cant figure out what that orangy oldish building next to the church is suppose to be. you can see they are keeping a token facade of the Lt Collins bit of the carpark,
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8273/150collins.jpg

EDIT : actually the renders do look a bit different new to old, but still hard to tell if they had some change of heart along the streetscape, but doubtful, still a clunky tower dominating the current view of the church and assembly hall and small gardens in there, which is currently a bit of an oasis along Collins. now if they were replicating St Michals across the road and building another 120 Collins behind the church, ... :) (even if it were breaking the height limit more than this development is, I can imagine less complaint)
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/INTERIORS2of2.jpg

Ugh what a terrible outcome. I hate it when great extensions aren't given proper protection. Same thing happened with the Melbourne Hotel in Perth - 1990s extension was done so well that it looked like part of the original heritage building but was allowed to be demolished.
That example is Perth is amazing, I was shocked it wasn't original actually, at least from street view. shame about. they really show even more of the sites history as a fluid part of the cities timeline, and if done in such a good way really should be considered. It's like saying half a medieval cathedral could be chopped off because it was built over centuries and not all at one go.

The orangey building on the russel street facade is the maintained scotts church hall isn't it?

and the bit of carpark on little collins is heritage listed hence the facade maintenance.

I'd be shocked if they were demolishing anything on Collins street to get the Collins Street address - surely they are just extending through the back of whatever building it is on Collins Street that gives them the address and leaving the front of hte building as is?

The orangey building on the russel street facade is the maintained scotts church hall isn't it?

and the bit of carpark on little collins is heritage listed hence the facade maintenance.

I'd be shocked if they were demolishing anything on Collins street to get the Collins Street address - surely they are just extending through the back of whatever building it is on Collins Street that gives them the address and leaving the front of hte building as is?

dunno, it's further back from the street, whereas the Church hall is right on the street and Grey it would also extend along the street up to those red boxes and the start of the glass building, so in that render it has been replaced with an open space
I think the entire carpark was heritage listed though, including the less nice entrance on russell st

they are demolishing a gothic stone extension which links the Church to the Assembly hall, you can see if from Collins st, but might think its actually part of the church given how well it was built.

From what I could gather, is a map of whats going,
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/map.jpg

Yellow is the stone gothic extension from the 1930's, knocking it down will put a small part of the new building on a collins st address, and give acces to a arched walkway that goes alongside the Assembly Hall

Blue is Scots Church Hall, 1923, which the stone extension also connects to.

Green the art deco carpark (first in Melbourne, though its not interesting inside)

Red is a Red Brick warehouse from around 1915. possibly also the oldest building car showroom in melbourne.

Note also the laneway between the russel st bulding and saved bit of the carpark, it also leads into a larger courtyard between all the buildings, lots of old signage and interesting backs of buildings there, it and the other buildings could have been used for a number of more interesting uses, whilst still making enough money I'm sure.

thanks for that - when you were talking about demolishing something attached to the church for the Collins Street address I assumed you were talking about something with a facade directly on Collins Street rather than something set back like that.

Cafe culture shock: office plan eats into Rosati
Simon Johanson
December 17, 2011

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/property/cafe-culture-shock-office-plan-eats-into-rosati-20111216-1oysp.html#ixzz1gkH1pIa0

http://images.theage.com.au/2011/12/16/2844482/rosati-200x0.jpg

ONE of Melbourne's first laneway cafes, the ornate Italianate dining hall Rosati in Flinders Lane, is to be partly demolished to make way for a 10-storey office.

Rosati opened the doors on its intricate mosaic tiled floors, enormous curved timber bar and trompe l'oeil murals 25 years ago under the stewardship of architect Piero Gesualdi and restaurateur Ronnie di Stasio, who later founded St Kilda's Cafe de Stasio.

During its heyday the cavernous interior was the place to be seen in Melbourne and featured in a 1988 Kylie Minogue film clip for the hit single Got to be Certain.

The City of Melbourne, which has just completed a city-wide heritage review, opposed the original application from the building's owners, Victor and Robert Zagame, to demolish it.

After negotiations, a permit was issued in October to retain the facade and first 10 metres of the saw-tooth roof but not the interior. Mr Zagame's planning consultant, Peter Soding, said detailed drawings were being developed for the office tower, which would include retail space and possibly a restaurant on the ground floor.

Work was is expected to begin in the middle of next year. ''If we can retain the mosaic tiles as part of the reconstruction, then we'll certainly do that but there's no requirement of us to do it,'' Mr Soding said.

Heritage advocate Rupert Mann said he feared it was too late to save Rosati's interior, as Planning Minister Matthew Guy had rejected a request for interim protection.

''There should have been a clause within the permit specifically saying they should preserve the interiors up to 10 metres,'' Mr Mann added.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/property/cafe-culture-shock-office-plan-eats-into-rosati-20111216-1oysp.html#ixzz1gkGuMimE

From both sets of renders, it would appear that they are in fact retaining the Drill Hall in some form, which would be excellent. Still, this is a steaming turd form any angle.

From both sets of renders, it would appear that they are in fact retaining the Drill Hall in some form, which would be excellent. Still, this is a steaming turd form any angle.

Scots Church Hall? the first render clearly shows its gone, but this newer one makes it harder to tell (disguised by trees)
old plans meant all those buildins along Russel st, plus the 1930's church extension will be demolished, but it is possible they have had a change of heart.

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/12/14/1226222/267582-westpac.jpg

Shit, scheiße, MERDE!

That Westfield building behind the church is CRUEL. You should all start hunger strikes to avoid eternally ruining that view.

Why does everyone dislike this building? I'm curious.

Why does everyone dislike this building? I'm curious.

well for me, its enteirely unsympathetic to its surroundings, demolishing 3 character pre-war buildings in a so-far entierly pre-war block, as well as intact streetscape all down Russell st and Lt Collins, and the buildings along Russell currently compliment the church, and give the historic Collins st a 3d character. something that should have been protected, at least the 'civic spine' of the CBD. the boutique human scale Little Collins st was starting to gain will be chipped away at the edge.

it's also right up against the Assemby hall and Scots church itself and its spires, you can argue 120 Collins does a similar thing with St Michaels across the road, but it's well set back, using solid materials, and gives the city one of its most known landmarks, and I beleive didnt destroy anything decent that could have provided other good use and character.

It does also break the heght limit for the block, though personally I wouldn't care about that too much if it were a better design, and its really the loss of history and character at street level I oppose.

The building itself is very unimaginative wherever it could go, resembled a larger version of something you would see in a suburban business park, not to mention the joke of saying it has a Collins st address by some technicality.

there are hundreds of creative, social and still economical uses for the current buildings and the little lane behind,even if an office block were build on top or behind of them, and this just represents bad planning from decades ago, a 'lets just knock it all down and put something self referential and new for the sake of it' attitude IMO, which I'd hoped we'd progressed beyond.

You only have to look at the T&G building across the road (with banking chamber and facade kept, and modern office environment added in) or even that apartment tower on top of the brick telstra building across the street to see examples of old blended in with new in a creative and positive manner, that still allows progress along with architectural creativity.

Another fail from Justin Madden too in 'calling it in' and overidding Heritage Victoria's opposition to the carpark and church extension demolitons.
http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/45706/Scots_Church.pdf

Do you like it and are fine with what it's replacing being demolished Aussie_Steve? ( I don't mean that to sounds like an argumentative question, I'm curious to hear a differing opinion)

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/Omar5of7.jpg

I think it useful to compare this development and 171 Collins Street. Both developments involved the development of office buildings on difficult sites which contained heritage buildings.

In the case of 171 Collins Street the design of the building has struck a good balance between providing an architecturally interesting building while also providing a respectful a backdrop to the heritage buidlings in the area.

The heritage building on the land will be restored and has been used as a key selling point for the development.

Since the permit has been issued the design has been refined and improved rather than dumbed down and the level of design detail and finishes will be of the highest quaility.

http://171collins.com.au/wp-content/gallery/retail/171_retail.jpg

http://171collins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/171_tower1.jpg

http://171collins.com.au/wp-content/gallery/renders/171_gallery_03.jpg

Why does everyone dislike this building? I'm curious.

For me, I don't mind the design and I'm not bothered by it being so close to the church, I actually think it enhances the church by giving it quite a strong backdrop. Allows the spires to really stand out rather than being lost in a muddy backdrop of multiple buildings, colours etc.

What I dislike is: -

1. Very lack-lustre design of the building itself. It's small so it needs to have architectural flair or merit, which it does not. If it were tall, the simplicity could work. If it looks yawn in the renders, god knows how it'll look when built.

2. Removal of the existing buildings entirely. If they are beyond repair and must go that's another discussion, but these seem in relatively good condition and really should be retained and integrated into the building. A good example again be 120 Collins St, and how the street level cafe is built into the podium. Laziness and easy point scoring by Madden.

I just think overall it is a real waste of the existing architecture & history, and all for a very mediocre, stumpy building on a very prominent site.

Poor show.

For me, I don't mind the design and I'm not bothered by it being so close to the church, I actually think it enhances the church by giving it quite a strong backdrop. Allows the spires to really stand out rather than being lost in a muddy backdrop of multiple buildings, colours etc.

What I dislike is: -

1. Very lack-lustre design of the building itself. It's small so it needs to have architectural flair or merit, which it does not. If it were tall, the simplicity could work. If it looks yawn in the renders, god knows how it'll look when built.

2. Removal of the existing buildings entirely. If they are beyond repair and must go that's another discussion, but these seem in relatively good condition and really should be retained and integrated into the building. A good example again be 120 Collins St, and how the street level cafe is built into the podium. Laziness and easy point scoring by Madden.

I just think overall it is a real waste of the existing architecture & history, and all for a very mediocre, stumpy building on a very prominent site.

Poor show.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=russel+st&hl=en&ll=-37.814802,144.969085&spn=0.002572,0.004823&sll=-37.807556,144.966087&sspn=0.327129,0.617294&vpsrc=6&hq=russel+st&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=-37.814802,144.969085&panoid=FsZ-VDhkciItf_aXCLp4Fg&cbp=12,294.55,,0,-25.33

The spires of this church and assemby hall are actually backdropped by clear sky from most angles on the ground, as you can see if you streetview around the area, and the only angle you really see other buildings behind them is looking up Collins st, where you get the spire of 120 Collins and its slender tower actually complimenting and taking inspiration from the Scots Church, or likewise Melbourne Central just peeking above at various angles, another building that seems to take it's cue from the distant churches it can be seen behind. the currently clear sky view will be changed to a backdrop of glass and steel or light concrete with offices visible inside (from the render it doesnt seem to be reflective glass like 171 Collins, another good example btw @ Grollo), and a big westpac logo.
but I can see your point based on that render, and maybe some form of backdrop would be alright if it were high quality and complimentary, like I think 171 Collins will be, or how the Rialto keeps the little spires of the older building visible next to a modern glass surface.
http://www.thecollectormm.com.au/gallery/photography/City/slides/Olderfleet1.jpg
photo by Collector.

Westpac on the move as tower controversy continues

Simon Johanson
December 19, 2011 - 10:39AM

Westpac Bank will be the anchor tenant in a new glass office tower that will dwarf the heritage-listed Scots Church and surrounding buildings at the top end of Collins Street.

Construction giant Grocon, in a joint venture with APN Property Group, will begin demolishing several buildings behind Scots Church at 150 Collins Street next month and replace them with a new $220 million headquarters for Westpac.

Only the facade of Melbourne's first multi-deck car park built in 1938 will remain after it, and the Scots Church Hall, are pulled down to make way for the ''climate-responsive'' office.

Advertisement: Story continues below
The 12-storey building designed by architects Peddle Thorpe will have a 6-star green rating and an address at the "Paris" end of Collins that will set the bank apart from Melbourne-based rivals National Australia Bank and ANZ whose headquarters are located in Docklands.

Much of the new office will face Russell Street but it gets a premium Collins Street address from a laneway between the Presbyterian Scots Church originally built in 1873 and the neighbouring Congregation Hall.

Several years have elapsed since the controversial development was first given approval after being ''called-in'' by former planning minister Justin Madden in 2007 when Heritage Victoria opposed demolishing the car park because of its historical significance.

Pulling down Victoria Carpark and Scots Church Hall was ''arrogant and disrespectful to the history of Melbourne,'' said Rupert Mann from Melbourne Heritage Action Group.

''The developers and owners should investigate creative ways of incorporating these buildings into their development and not just propose to totally demolish them and rob Melbourne of a significant part of its streetscape,'' he said.

But APN managing director David Blight said the development honoured the area's heritage.

Westpac will lease nine levels - about 70 per cent of the 20,000 square metres available - and is expected to move from its current headquarters at 360 Collins Street in 2014.

Further along Collins Street at 171, another stalwart is also getting a makeover.

BHP Billiton will be the main tenant in a new office to be built behind the 100-year-old heritage-listed Mayfair building.



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/westpac-on-the-move-as-tower-controversy-continues-20111216-1oxi9.html#ixzz1gwHcd26i

http://www.theage.com.au/business/westpac-on-the-move-as-tower-controversy-continues-20111216-1oxi9.html

Westpac Bank will be the anchor tenant in a new glass office tower that will dwarf the heritage-listed Scots Church and surrounding buildings at the top end of Collins Street.

Construction giant Grocon, in a joint venture with APN Property Group, will begin demolishing several buildings behind Scots Church at 150 Collins Street next month and replace them with a new $220 million headquarters for Westpac.

Only the facade of Melbourne's first multi-deck car park built in 1938 will remain after it, and the Scots Church Hall, are pulled down to make way for the ''climate-responsive'' office.
Advertisement: Story continues below

The 12-storey building designed by architects Peddle Thorpe will have a 6-star green rating and an address at the "Paris" end of Collins that will set the bank apart from Melbourne-based rivals National Australia Bank and ANZ whose headquarters are located in Docklands.

Much of the new office will face Russell Street but it gets a premium Collins Street address from a laneway between the Presbyterian Scots Church originally built in 1873 and the neighbouring Congregation Hall.

Several years have elapsed since the controversial development was first given approval after being ''called-in'' by former planning minister Justin Madden in 2007 when Heritage Victoria opposed demolishing the car park because of its historical significance.

Pulling down Victoria Carpark and Scots Church Hall was ''arrogant and disrespectful to the history of Melbourne,'' said Rupert Mann from Melbourne Heritage Action Group.

''The developers and owners should investigate creative ways of incorporating these buildings into their development and not just propose to totally demolish them and rob Melbourne of a significant part of its streetscape,'' he said.

But APN managing director David Blight said the development honoured the area's heritage.

Westpac will lease nine levels - about 70 per cent of the 20,000 square metres available - and is expected to move from its current headquarters at 360 Collins Street in 2014.

Further along Collins Street at 171, another stalwart is also getting a makeover.

BHP Billiton will be the main tenant in a new office to be built behind the 100-year-old heritage-listed Mayfair building.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/westpac-on-the-move-as-tower-controversy-continues-20111216-1oxi9.html#ixzz1gwfiFfeD

My bad! Beat me Melbournee12! :D

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=86775281&postcount=1707

Looks Great!

http://images.theage.com.au/2011/12/16/2842797/729_westpac-on-collins-420x0.jpg

Wonder if this project will affect 'Graffiti Lane' which is a popular lane with photographers which runs off Flinders St.

Looks garbage and destroying some wonderfully historic buildings. Grumble :(

merged. i too think it's a piece of shit

Looks like something you'd expect to see in Docklands. It shows little respect to its surroundings.

It just looks plain and uninspiring. Getting rid of heritage for that is almost criminal.

^^shit boring design. The old building abutting the church should never be allowed to be demolished completely.

More stone buildings being replaced with mediocre glass crap on collins.

Even though the design is shit I'd be happy for it to go ahead if they were to facade the old buildings

It would have been so easy to retain or even facade the church hall. But even then this is so clearly inappropriate. Flew under the radar while "heritage" folks were grandstanding over the Windsor. Now looks like we'll get the shite and lose the grand.

^^ Loaf, that is such a good point about the grandstanding over the windsor.

They were all so focussed on this, didn't get what they wanted as it was a ridiculous plight anyway, and things they really should be focussing on (like this) which is a much better focus and more achievable result just floats past without contest.

:bash:

About integration into the existing buildings, what did they do at 333 Collins Street? Is the street front the original facade or was it built around an existing building which is now the lobby?

I think the 333 Collins Street building is brilliant and very well done as I get the feeling that the old and new are both the same building. I just find it disappointing that we get a few proposals like this which does nothing to merge the two designs together, instead looking like two contrasting designs that could visually clash with each other once built.

About integration into the existing buildings, what did they do at 333 Collins Street? Is the street front the original facade or was it built around an existing building which is now the lobby?

I think the 333 Collins Street building is brilliant and very well done as I get the feeling that the old and new are both the same building. I just find it disappointing that we get a few proposals like this which does nothing to merge the two designs together, instead looking like two contrasting designs that could visually clash with each other once built.

street front is all modern on 333, but all faced in (granite?) and almost neo-classical, its one of my favourite buildings, just because of how well it intergrated new and old with the banking chamber, and shows that classical architectural styles are possible in a modern context (in Australia at least, they know this in other bits of the world)

333 was originally a Victorian building (hence Victorian chamber), then that buidling was modernised in the 1930's in a restained art deco style, while keeping the interior, and finally the 1930's building was demolished for 333 Collins, which again skillfully kept the Victorian interior inside a new building. who was the building/main tenant or 333 when built? you might not be able to expect that sort of high quality from every development with less money, but even if a plain glass office tower were built at Scots Church, it's hardly impossible to retain the historic buildings, or at least facades, and blend in the modern architecture better with the church (like 120 Collins does for example) . it's just a lazy and short-sighted, low creativity decision here IMO

Another fail from Justin Madden too in 'calling it in' and overidding Heritage Victoria's opposition to the carpark and church extension demolitons.
]

GRRR fuck i hate justin madden (even though the 95 premiership was a great moment...still like to rip his balls off for all his fuckups)

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/2193/wp000281.jpg

Looks very dominating! I like the juxtaposition though.

Probably it's just me.....but can you see this in 12 and a half years time ? Will they be thinking...what were they smoking ?...........Then...I thought the same thing about the old Cinema Centre in Bourke St....Exposed concrete pagoda but as time goes by I see it is being held as that moment in time for Melbourne....Haa my favorite experience there was 'Star Wars' when that was new..............too

Probably it's just me.....but can you see this in 12 and a half years time ? Will they be thinking...what were they smoking ?...........Then...I thought the same thing about the old Cinema Centre in Bourke St....Exposed concrete pagoda but as time goes by I see it is being held as that moment in time for Melbourne....Haa my favorite experience there was 'Star Wars' when that was new..............too

the building equivalent to purple flairs and tight op art shirts:ohno:

the building equivalent to purple flairs and tight op art shirts:ohno:

And what's wrong with that exactly?

Looks like a wave about to envelop the dear old girl. I like it.

it breaks the architectural scheme of that area in a nice way. will it be lit up at night?

Good luck to the person who will have to clean windows outside...

compared to the other rmit buildings just across the road, on the corner of franklin st, this building is the Guggenheim in Bilbao

It might end up being tacky in 20 years, but then they said the same about some of the great Victorian buildings we love today. I remember reading a historic newspaper articel from the 1890's calling the Railway building on Spencer st that was under construction (now Grand Hotel) a garish eyesore.
Think it looks better in person than in photos like a lot of buildings, as you really need to 'experience' it in 3 dimensions walking past to get a feeling for how it sits on the street.

Good luck to the person who will have to clean windows outside...

It's RMIT, nobody cleans the windows.

compared to the other rmit buildings just across the road, on the corner of franklin st, this building is the Guggenheim in Bilbao

:rofl::applause:

21 Little Collins:
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/IMG_0566.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/IMG_0565.jpg

So what's going on with Phoenix?

So what's going on with Phoenix?

Yeah, I've been waiting for that one.

Still says three apartments remaining on a sign at the site.

Gah!! It looks like some kind of mutated crystalline monster is about to swallow the Oxford Scholar whole.
Blue

New renders of AIA:

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/exhibition1.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/exhibition.jpg

completely underwhelming building IMO for the Architects instution... very worried about the north and west facing walls as well.

^^ Completely agree mate. You'd think the one building you could absolutely rely on to be really striking architecturally would be this one.

Instead we have a bland concrete homage to the 70's meets Beirut.

Still think they should have gone with the ARM proposal, just dumbed down a little to make it feasible.

DesignInc or Wardle for mine.

completely underwhelming building IMO for the Architects instution... very worried about the north and west facing walls as well.

Fully agree. The South facade looks good but most other views of it will be plain.

108? Flinders Street:
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/2cd652bd.jpg

Sheraton:
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1009.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1008.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1005.jpg

AIA:
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1010.jpg

Westpac:
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1012.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1015.jpg

A couple other renders of 150 Collins can be found here: http://www.grocon.com.au/pdfs/melbourne/150-Collins-St1.pdf

notice how one of the renders keeps the scots church hall to the left.
Nice to see its just being replaced by a minimalist (to use a nicer word) forecourt. hello 1970's

A couple other renders of 150 Collins can be found here: http://www.grocon.com.au/pdfs/melbourne/150-Collins-St1.pdf

My god what an epic, epic disgrace :ohno:

I don't understand - it's not that bad!

I don't understand - it's not that bad!

It's not shocking but it's dissapointing that they could not incorporate more of the old.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/427114_329831047063463_118961041483799_939014_1216138574_n.jpg

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/gold5of5.jpg

I think it's pretty terrible, not exactly hideous, but just that fact that it's just so damn banal in an area so full of character and potential, and replacing an entire pre-war streetscape,including part that was on the Victorian Heritage Register, boutique shops, and a community centre. rubbing salt into the wound is the nearly 90 year old church hall being replaced by a bit of paving and a setback glass wall, when it could easily be incorporated.

IMO it's a bit of slap in the face to a city which was suppose to be so good at incorporating historic buildings with cutting edge modern stuff, and which attracts so many people from other cities because charming streetscapes like this and unassuming boutique shopping.

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/gold2of5.jpg
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/gold4of5.jpg

Also we don't know what its going to look like from Collins st yet, though it will def dominate the gothic buildings unless the glass used is top notch and reflective,they are also knocking down the stone extension between the church and assembly hall, and looks like they have demolished that whole garden area and knocked down trees between the two buildings for whatever that temp wood building is. will it be a big glassy corporate entrance on that side?
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/gold1of5.jpg