previous thread

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=275992&page=30


109 Clarendon st, 50% sold, construction commences november, finished late 2009, builder > built. construction, 34L + plant, urban design architects

http://www.109.com.au/Portals/1/image/109-subpics.gif


recent pics of mtc

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/mtc200709.jpg

From the website (http://www.109.com.au/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx):

The red stripe that runs the length of the tower is just one of many exciting design elements that make 109 Clarendon such a stunning development. The building itself is intelligently designed combining state of the art building techniques, contemporary design and extensive amenities.

It's just a red stripe, it's not like this is the first and only building to feature a red stripe.

^^But it's longer than Eureka's, and size matters doesn't it? :lol:
Having said that, 109 Clarendon Street is OK, but nothing more than that.

109, Vue Grande, and the new Crown tower all going up on Clarendon within a block of each other. Amazing!

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3196/104113196ml1183012487.jpg

173 residential apartments on 34 levels
• ground floor retail area of 230 square metres
• 6 upper levels of car parking for 90 cars
• 58 one bedroom apartments
• 69 one bedroom plus study apartments
• 46 two bedroom apartments

Looks it's best from that angle methinks.

looks good and in a prominent spot on the corner. About 110m including plant i'd say.

Anyone know the plans for the KING furniture building across the street?? I recall it having a 123m tower approved some time ago.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22511478-5003402,00.html

JAMES Packer's Publishing and Broadcasting (PBL) plans to build the biggest hotel in Australia at its Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne.

It is estimated the hotel will cost $300 million to build.

"The proposed new hotel will be the third in the Crown Entertainment Complex along with the award winning, luxurious Crown Towers and Crown Promenade Hotel," PBL subsidiary Crown Melbourne said today.

Crown Melbourne owns and operates the Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne.


TALLIE!! TALLIE!! TALLIE!!

C'mon!! Give us something over 250m!!!

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22511461-661,00.html
$540m Crown plan no gamble

Ian Royall

October 01, 2007 01:00pm


THE biggest hotel in Australia will be built at Southbank as part of a $540 million expansion of Melbourne's Crown Casino complex.

Construction on Crown's third hotel, a 27-storey curved building on Clarendon St, will begin as early as this month.

Crown also announced a $40-million extension of its convention centre, a $65 million revamp for Crown Towers hotel rooms and a $140-million upgrade of the casino gaming areas.

The $300-million third hotel, yet to be named, will have 658 rooms, bringing the total number of rooms in the Crown precinct to 1600.

It will open by May 2010 to capitalise on the convention centre being built next to Jeff's Shed (the Melbourne Exhibition and Conference Centre) on the Yarra River.

Crown Melbourne chief executive David Courtney announced the development this afternoon, describing it as an invaluable addition to Melbourne's tourism infrastructure.

The project would create 4000 jobs during construction and another 500 positions on completion.

The hotel would have a floor of shops, mostly fashion and lifestyle.

Its top floor would feature a pool and spa with city views.

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5680603,00.jpg

That doesn't look big at all. Sydney's Hilton looks bigger!

Dam! I was hoping for something over 200m.

Btw, does anyone know if the fountains on Clarendon St and at the entrance to Crown Towers have been turned back on?

Only 100m, but what an awesome tower. It won't be long before Clarendon Street is a skyscraper canyon!

That doesn't look big at all. Sydney's Hilton looks bigger!

Dam! I was hoping for something over 200m.

Btw, does anyone know if the fountains on Clarendon St and at the entrance to Crown Towers have been turned back on?

Its design rules over height. The tower built in 1996 (Crown Towers) is the tallest Australian hotel tower already. I didn't expect anything more.

Yeah, i like it.

Its a fantastic design and yes, Clarendon St is looking like a getting better and better with more and more towers. :D

Crown anounces plans for Australia's largest hotel

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/10/01/CrownHotel_wideweb__470x352,0.jpg

Clay Lucas, City Reporter
October 1, 2007 - 1:55PM
Crown Casino has asked planning minister Justin Madden to fast-track its application to build a $300 million hotel behind the Melbourne Convention Centre as part of a $505 million redevelopment.

Crown today announced to the stockmarket it would spend more than $300 million on the new 27-level hotel, confirming details of the project leaked to The Age in February this year.

With 658 rooms, the hotel will be Australia's biggest.

Crown also announced $185 million in upgrades to its existing Crown Towers hotel and to its gaming room floor.

The gaming giant has argued that Mr Madden must pass the hotel plan immediately as a matter of "state significance".

"We don't expect any issues around the hotel," Crown chief executive David Courtney said at a briefing this afternoon.

Mr Madden this afternoon did not responded to requests to be interviewed on the hotel project, but tourism minister Tim Holding was helping to launch the new hotel with Mr Courtney.

Developers Grocon have made the same argument to Mr Madden over their project at the CUB site at the northern end of the city.

Mr Courtney said it was imperative the planning minister approve the new hotel this month so that work could begin immediately and be finished in May 2010.

Melbourne's new 5000-seat Convention Centre is due to open in 2009, and would demand that thousands of new hotel rooms become available in Melbourne, Mr Courtney said.

The new hotel, designed by architectural firm Bates Smart's Roger Poole, will front onto Clarendon Street and be joined to Crown's other facilities via a series of enclosed walkways.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/travel/hotel-to-crown-casino/2007/10/01/1191091002260.html

Shezam! That looks pretty sweet, I love the cantilever. Surprised it's not green but am glad it's silver.

Wow great news, a nice surprise to open up the age and read this arvo.

Another great bit of news for the Southank area.
I wonder if the close by Shangri-La Hotel at Batman Hill will be fast tracked as well?

Crown to build $300m Melbourne hotel


October 1, 2007 - 1:34PM

James Packer's Crown Casino has been accused of trying to avoid normal planning processes in its bid to build Australia's biggest hotel in Melbourne.

Crown Melbourne Ltd announced plans on Monday to build the 658-room, 27-level, four-and-a-half-star hotel in the Southbank precinct adjacent to the casino.

The company, a subsidiary of Mr Packer's Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd, has asked Planning Minister Justin Madden to fast-track its permit application to build the $300 million-plus hotel.

Crown chief executive David Courtney said Mr Madden should approve the plans this month so the hotel could be finished in May 2010.

If the application is rushed through, members of the public, including nearby residents and businesses, would not be able to object to the large hotel which would dominate the area.

However, Dr Kate Shaw, from Melbourne University's Architecture, Building and Planning department said the only planning permit applications that can be fast-tracked were those deemed to be of "state significance".

"I can't see any reason why it should not go through the normal planning process," Dr Shaw said.

Mr Madden was unavailable to comment but his spokesman, Licardo Prince, would not confirm whether the public would be able to object to the proposed hotel.

"A decision will be made shortly. He is considering the proposal and I don't want to pre-empt the process," Mr Prince said.

But Crown chief executive David Courtney says the project is significant to the state because Melbourne already hosts world-class international conventions and more hotel rooms are needed.

"The combination of the Melbourne Exhibition/Convention centres with Crown's entertainment and 1,600 hotel rooms provides a compelling offer to the international conventions market," he said.

Melbourne real estate agent Tony Crabb, from Savills, agrees.

"The hotel industry is going gangbusters and that is partly due to a lack of supply and Crown would know that," Mr Crabb said.

He also said the quality hotel proposed by Crown would enhance the area.

Despite Mr Madden still considering the application, Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding was at the launch with Mr Courtney to back the proposal.

Mr Holding said the government was proud to be associated with the project because it was needed, with Victoria's international visitor numbers rising 5.5 per cent to 1.5 million this financial year.

"This will provide accommodation for visitors to the huge events Melbourne's become famous for," he said.

The mammoth casino complex will have $505 million of PBL money spent on it with retail and conference centres at the new hotel and refurbishments at the casino and six-star Crown Towers hotel.

The works will create 500 permanent jobs, bringing Crown's workforce to 6,000 and provide more than 2,000 jobs while it was being built.

The hotel would be completed by May 2010, and overtake the 600-room Four Points hotel in Sydney as Australia's biggest.

This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/01/1191091001305.html

B-I-N-G-O!
Walkthrough, Renders!
http://media.theage.com.au/?category=National%20News&rid=32074

Another great bit of news for the Southank area.
I wonder if the close by Shangri-La Hotel at Batman Hill will be fast tracked as well?

The Shangri-La isn't going ahead for the moment.

The Shangri-La isn't going ahead for the moment.

WTF? When did this happen!?!?!

WTF? When did this happen!?!?!

A while ago.

ok. thanks.

Lovin' it. Looking very snazzy.

From that video it looks about the same height as Vue Grand which is 107m high.

It looks shorter than it is because it is so wide, it will be about 100 meters wide.

B-I-N-G-O!
Walkthrough, Renders!
http://media.theage.com.au/?category=National%20News&rid=32074

Oh mein gott did you see Clarendon St?

that podium!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that's the kind of street-level treatment City Road needs.

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/4200/f220061002image2of7equimk0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9296/f220061002image1of7equihy6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5680603,00.jpg

Seperated at birth?

I sure hope they don't cheap out with the glass, but then again, it's Crown so hopefully they won't be sparing any expense. :)

Reflective silver glass... :drool:

Well Done Melburnia...... (again).

The glass will probably be the same as the silver strips on PwC.

I think the glass will end up very similar to Crown Promenade, I don't think it will end up silver.

Each pane of glass seems to be on a slight angle fomring a pattern across the facade, similar to the 171 Collins Street proposal also by Bates Smart.

I'm not so sure. Bates Smart seem to be going through a silver phase at the moment. I guess 28FwP will give us a pretty good idea of what to expect. Those renders also show silver glass, despite the other two towers being predominantly black. Although it could always end up being black.

very nice! gets my stamp of approval.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a206/crave1980/woofpuppy.jpg

This apartment layout for 109 is kind of odd:

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/6904/109floorplanvf0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Yeah I had a look through all of them in the display suite and they're all quite odd.

There different but isnt it a good thing?

After all, isn't this CE were talking about?

Nope, developers are First Delta Group. However there isn't a lot separating the works of Urban Design Architects and CE's favourite SPAN.

This apartment layout for 109 is kind of odd:

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/6904/109floorplanvf0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


If there was some banging going on in the south bedroom, the wall would be rocking. If there was some banging going on in the middle room, the tv wall would be rocking.

Maybe good for a small swingers night, < 20 people ;) :cheers:

There different but isnt it a good thing?

After all, isn't this CE were talking about?

I've seen the insides of many different CE buildings and they're all 'short back and sides' generic apartments - these are odd, yes, but a hell of a lot more interesting.

I.e, in fav's swinger's apartment above, (I reckon at least) there's a lot of useful space created by the curve in both bedrooms (around the feet of each bed in the diagram above).

I like the L shaped Dining + Galley + Living. Biggest downer on it is that it's only a galley kitchen and not a full blown one. If I were buying it, I'd get a movable island bench for the kitchen (Mirvac apartments have them a fair bit) and add a pantry to the end of the kitchen (taking up a bit of living space, but care factor). The dining would be a study and a small dining table or some such would go against the bathroom/living wall.

Having said that, there's a lot of space options in it... well I can see them anyhow :D

By the looks of the people we saw in display suite, it's attracting the international student's mummy and daddy's money.

The ensuite is a bit of overkill though, isn't it? I mean, the main bathroom is a massive two metre walk away.

Depends, if you're sharing the flat, who wants to share the bathroom? not me! :)

The ensuite is a bit of overkill though, isn't it? I mean, the main bathroom is a massive two metre walk away.

Agree, knock out the second bathroom and expand the kitchen.

galley kitchens are very efficient to work with but a movable bench would be good...

i agree that the ensuite is over kill but if they are marketing to the international student then they definitely do not share bathrooms...

a pantry would be useful but also any form of other storage - linen brooms vacuum cleaner etc. they never allow for actual living needs.

http://webcamftp.aconex.com/webcams/yap_melb_webcam.jpg

OMG - how unreal is this project! Love it!

There was an article in today's HUN about the new Triptych tower. Talks about how the tower will create a sense of community for residences having eight vertical villages throughout the 29 floors with each common space containing a wall of evergreen climbers and mature trees. Also says mentions that the tower will be triangular...interesting

Urban Central Hostel at 344 City Road is going to get another five floors added soon.

http://www.totaltravel.com.au/photos/urban-central/doublebed.jpg

^^ Can't they just nuke it and build something else there?

Hmmm Triptych or this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/1520979534_186b3059c4_b.jpg

It's a hard choice.

New Crown hotel site:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2376/1521055102_a9fe55c211_b.jpg

And new Crown convention centre site:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2198/1520133765_9d9d9a758b_b.jpg

^^Thanks for all the superb updates gappa! :)

Fender Katsalidis have submitted and aopplication for external alterations and erection of signage at level 10 on Eureka Tower.

Anybody got any idea what this is for?

Is it for the art work that was supposed to go on teh podium but still isn't there yet?

Superb design, the mix of traditional bluestone and funky architecture is so Melbourne:
http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/RECITAL.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/RECITAL 1.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/RECITAL 2.jpg

Simply superb. What a fasntastic asset to add to Melbourne's collection of cultural center's.

Yes - I didn't realise how much the back of the building mirrors Roy Grounds NGV across the road.

Love that black honeycomb/bees-wax feature.

Excavations have begun on Southbank One (180 City Rd). They are using an excavator to remove soil from the ground, and then piling up in a big mound. Looks like a big doggie doo; looks like a CE tower. :)

You should all try and see it in real life. It looks amazing and the detail is very well done, on the outside at least.

impressive looking Spotlight complex, seems their former hq over the road will also be developed soon enough. good size for the area

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/slx200710.jpg

it's got to be copper silvermb - anyone else walked past the above and noticed the very good use of materials?

Yep, the scales are a nice touch. I swear architects are stealing my ideas.

From Rialto today. FWP3 on the left and Southbank One on the right:

http://ozfrog.thehoddlegrid.net/construction/Southbank20071021.jpg

A planning application has been submitted for a 23 storey office tower at 81 Lormier Street in Southbank. The site is behind Yarras Edge 5.

A planning application has been submitted for a 23 storey office tower at 81 Lormier Street in Southbank. The site is behind Yarras Edge 5.

Would this be on the waterfront side of Lorimer? Or on the other side of Lorimer - the Subaru side of the street? Just not sure what you meant by 'behind'...

looks like we need a map of southbank with sites coloured uc/planned ect. i think grollo did one years ago.

I'll do one.

Crown 3 has been approved by the state government, no advertising, no appeals :-)

The tower is 30 levels high.

The Crown property at 93 Clarendon Street has also been rezoned to allow for the development of a future tower (crown apartments?)with no height controls and no advertising or appeal rights :-).

^^ Take that due process ;)

93 Clarendon might become an office development as Crown had intentions of luring National foods or Channel 9 a couple of years back to their complex.

I think the site would be too small for an office building and not in a very good location. I think the office building was proposed for the huge site on Queensbridge Street behind Crown Promenade.

so for crown 3, being 30 storeys would be between 90m-110m? anyway of finding height/diagram/render?

Crown 3 has been approved by the state government, no advertising, no appeals :-)

The tower is 30 levels high.

The Crown property at 93 Clarendon Street has also been rezoned to allow for the development of a future tower (crown apartments?)with no height controls and no advertising or appeal rights :-).

http://www.crowncasino.com.au/assets/contentImages/378/ThirdHotel_View2.gif:)

so for crown 3, being 30 storeys would be between 90m-110m? anyway of finding height/diagram/render?

In the video a couple of pages back it shows Crown 3 opposite Vue Grande and they appear to be pretty much the same height.

http://www.crowncasino.com.au/assets/contentImages/378/ThirdHotel_View2.gif:)

Awesome!

http://www.crowncasino.com.au/assets/contentImages/378/ThirdHotel_View2.gif:)

Awesome!

MADDEN APPROVES THIRD CROWN HOTEL AT SOUTHBANK


A third hotel will be built at Crown Casino in Southbank after Planning Minister Justin Madden today approved an amendment to the Melbourne Planning Scheme.

The Minister has approved amendment C136 to the Melbourne Planning Scheme to facilitate the development of the new 658 room hotel.

“The building comprises an elongated curved form that will create a “ribbon” type effect along Clarendon Street in Southbank. This development will make a bold and contemporary statement that will serve as a gateway into Melbourne,” Mr Madden said.

A number of conditions apply to the approval – including revision to the southern part of the Clarendon Street façade to make it more visually interesting at ground level for pedestrians.

The approval of amendment C136 will see the hotel site brought into the Capital City Zone, consistent with the zoning of other Crown properties in the Melbourne Casino Area. As part of the approval, changes have also been made to the overlay controls as part of the amendment.

Mr Madden said that the height of the building would comply with the planning scheme’s discretionary 100 metre height limit.

The new 27 level development, designed by Bates Smart Architects will become Australia’s largest hotel and will include retail shops, restaurants, bars and a new home for the Crown College, Crown’s training facility.

The development will attract $300 million of investment into Melbourne, generating up to 2,500 jobs during construction and 375 hospitality jobs upon completion.

“Melbourne has a thriving tourism industry and this development will create more accommodation options to continue to meet this city’s growing conference and convention industry,” Mr Madden said.

The Minister approved the amendment under section 20(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Crown intends to start site preparation works in October 2007 and complete the hotel in May 2010.

109 Clarendon Street:
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0412/104410412ml1193869401.jpg

Nice view:

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0402/104410402ml1193976454.jpg

May as well post these I suppose:

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/6964/pic0020ey8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/8862/pic0021oo6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/8020/pic0022qm5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6889/pic0023lz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

If I must....
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/458/picture9rt5.png
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4295/picture10iz7.png
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9712/picture11sj0.png
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8608/picture12wd4.png

Archi, the second and third angles in your post look a little Neo200-ish to me :( Which way will they be facing?

1st pic: Western (Clarendon)/Bay view facade
2nd pic: Southern/"Yuck Fou City of Port Phillip"/West Gate FWY facade
3rd pic: Eastern facade - same developer (from memory) owns the adjacent site
4th pic: Northern (City Road) facade.

Thanks tayser.

Piling works are going on at Southbank One. I didn't know it before but it looks like this one is being built by Multiplex.

Arts precinct set for major facelift


Robin Usher
November 6, 2007

PLANS for the multimillion-dollar redevelopment of the Southbank arts precinct are expected to be delivered to the State Government this month, in time to be considered for inclusion in next year's budget.

Frances-Jones Morehen Thorp Architects were awarded a $5 million contract last April to come up with the blueprint linking the cultural centres south of the Yarra River through a series of walkways, cafes and bars stretching from St Kilda Road along Sturt Street to the Malthouse Theatre.

But the key to the proposal is the $200 million master plan to reinvigorate the Arts Centre first drawn up four years ago.

The centre's chief executive, Tim Jacobs, says that work to freshen the centre and develop the plaza linking Hamer Hall with the theatres building facing St Kilda Road would make up nearly 70 per cent of the precinct project, depending on its final extent.

He says the development would create a precinct that was unique in Australia. "It would become an attractive destination, ultimately connecting across St Kilda Road to Federation Square."

The Arts Centre has put draft drawings of the proposed precinct development on display in the plaza and in the theatres building.

The master plan was prepared because the Arts Centre, designed more than 35 years ago, is beginning to show its age. But the Labor Government made it part of its election policy last year to explore the concept of creating an arts precinct.

The plan calls for bars and cafes to face the plaza. If the proposal is approved, such work as enlarging the orchestra pit in Hamer Hall and moving the booking office to a more convenient location would also be undertaken.

Theatres and public spaces would also be upgraded. The State Theatre and Fairfax Studio would be renovated "to accommodate the needs of today's changing artistic repertoire and the demands of the modern theatre-going public".

This could increase visitor numbers to the Arts Centre by 1 million people to 3.5 million a year, bringing the total to the overall precinct to 4.5 million.

Jacobs says it would take about 18 months to prepare detailed plans once approval is given before work could begin.

"Construction would take about three years and we would continue operating with partial closures in place," he says.

The Arts Centre would stand at the top of a new public boulevard down Sturt Street, connecting the National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Ballet and the new Melbourne Recital Centre and Melbourne Theatre Company headquarters.

The proposal calls for an overpass above City Road to the new plaza, with a pedestrian ramp running down to Sturt Street from the NGV gardens. This would also provide access to the NGV from the new precinct.

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has said it would like to see the vacant YMCA site facing City Road at the back of the Australian Ballet Centre developed for its new home.

Jacobs says there are proposals that if such a building went ahead it would also contain the Arts Centre's Performing Arts Museum and new ballet studios.

Such development would provide a case for the Federal Government to contribute funds to the precinct development.

A State Government pamphlet on the proposal concludes:

"The time to act is now. The Southbank Cultural Precinct Redevelopment will enrich our cultural identity and increase public accessibility to the arts. Without it, Melbourne's Yarra edge will remain incomplete and our major arts facilities will not get the public recognition and involvement they deserve."

http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/arts-precinct-set-for-major-facelift/2007/11/05/1194117952611.html

Bring it on!

Latest on the new Recital Centre.http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/new-centre-will-double-the-sound-of-music-in-melbourne/2007/11/07/1194329319311.html



New centre will double the sound of music in Melbourne

Robin Usher
November 8, 2007

MUSIC-MAKING will more than double in Victoria when the $75 million Melbourne Recital Centre now under construction in Southbank is completed in just over a year.

Details of the artistic program were announced in the nearly completed 150-seat Salon in the centre yesterday, followed by the first recital in the space by baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes, who wore a blue singlet and fashion-designed hard-hat as he sang unaccompanied Click Go the Shears.

He later described the venue's acoustics as fantastic.

The centre's CEO, Jacques de Vos Malan, said the centre would host about 250 events a year, up from about 90 now given in Melbourne.

The all-acoustic venue, featuring the 1001-seat Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, is the only one of its type in Australia, floating on 38 spring-based blocks to insulate it from outside noise.

Australia's pre-eminent composer, Peter Sculthorpe, has been commissioned to write a score for the opening on February 8, 2009 — Dame Elisabeth's 100th birthday. The work will celebrate Aboriginal culture and feature a solo violin, percussion and choir. It is hoped to invite a high-profile musician from Europe to perform in the opening performance.

The centre's chairman, Jim Cousins, expressed dismay that neither of the main political parties had promised any significant money to the arts in the federal election campaign.

"It would be good if both parties treated the arts in the same way as the rest of the community which is being showered with money," he said.

Mr Cousins is responsible for raising $11 million towards the cost of the building.

The centre will feature groups such as Musica Viva, the Australian String Quartet, the Brandenberg Orchestra, Australian Art Orchestra and Victorian Opera. There will also be a series of discovery concerts of music from Asia and the Pacific region, and the centre will commission new works and provide a venue for many of Melbourne's recently formed chamber groups.

The centre's artistic administrator, David Barmby, predicted the centre's artistic vision would transform music-making. "It is an extraordinary gift to Melbourne and will have an extraordinary impact," he said.

Dr de Vos Malan said the centre, designed by Ashton Raggatt McDougall, would bring a much broader range of performers to the arts precinct.

"We do not want to duplicate what is already on offer but to offer a living space for music on a daily basis," he said.

The Murdoch Hall will be clad in computer-shaped hoop pine. It's said that entering it will be like stepping into a giant Stradivarius violin.

It's said that entering it will be like stepping into a giant Stradivarius violin.
Hehehe awesome - and typical ARM concept

Row brews on towers (http://www.melbourneleader.com.au/article/2007/11/07/25123_mev_news.html)
By Larissa Ham
7 November 2007

PLANS for two residential towers higher than 100m at Southbank have renewed calls for planning powers on large-scale developments to be returned to Melbourne Council.

Developers Chaddesley Holdings have applied to the State Government to build 576 apartments at the corner of Kavanagh and Balston streets, costing an estimated $156 million.

One tower will be 34 storeys with a four to five-storey podium. The second will be 37 storeys with a seven-storey podium.

Part of the development would be built on the site of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service at Balston St once its lease expires in September 2011. A new Blood Service site has yet to be confirmed.

The developments have angered Southbank Residents Group president Joe Bagnara, who said the precinct already lacked community services and open space.

"There is no infrastructure to cope with the influx in residents, no community centres, no health centres, no schools,'' he said.

"We have a few problems because any building over 25,000sq m is taken out of the hands of the city council,'' Mr Bagnara said.

Cr Peter Clarke said the council's planning powers for such developments had been removed by the Cain overnment in the 1980s and should be reinstated.

Mr Bagnara said Southbank was a planning stuff-up.

"What happened was developers that were keen to make some money for their shareholders got ahead of the legislators,'' he said.

"We've ended up really with what not to do.''

But Licardo Prince, spokesman for Planning Minister Justin Madden, said Southbank was "a vibrant precinct that combines commercial and business development with residential and entertainment options''. He said the Government and council were working to further improve its attributes.

The council is in the throes of acquiring the former Boyd College in City Rd from the Government to help boost open space in the area. [This is good news]

Some of the land is likely to be sold off for private development to help fund the purchase.

Cr Clarke said the Government had made no effort to increase pockets of public parkland within the precinct.

"Southbank has almost become an infill suburb,'' Cr Clarke said. It's probably fair to say it's evolved rather than was planned.

"As a consequence it really has probably got insufficient public space.''

They do have some valid points. There are a lack of community ammenities in Southbank, they don't even have a proper supermarket! A lack of open space is debatable, I mean the RBG and Kings Domain are just across the road. Still I think there is space for a small community park; maybe take away some of city road to help facilitate this.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/revival-plan-for-southbank/2007/11/08/1194329414552.html

SOUTHBANK has serious development problems and must be reshaped over the next decade if it is to thrive as a community centre, a new report says.

The Southbank Plan, written by the Department of Planning and Community Development will go before Melbourne City Council's planning committee on Tuesday.

The report finds that the fledgling suburb is dominated by heavy traffic, is disorienting for visitors and cut into sections by major roads, exposed to winds, turbulence and traffic noise, dominated by ugly car parks at street level and overshadowed by the Arts Centre, Southgate and Crown Casino, which disrupt pedestrian flow.

Half of Southbank's residents work in the city centre, "yet, the majority travel to work by car", the report says.

The suburb is also difficult to "mentally map", with a confusing street layout.

Most residential developments in the suburb had become "isolated enclaves", the result of harsh street environments, the report says.

Melbourne City councillor and architect Peter Clarke confirmed the suburb was "carved up" by road networks: "In response, architects have internalised their spaces," he said.

He also agreed there was a lack of green space and small-scale shopping centres.

"It is crying out for additional parks, and local shops like South Yarra or East Melbourne," Mr Clarke said.

According to the report, the suburb also lacks playgrounds, meeting spaces and services such as schools, libraries and child-care centres. The only community services nearby, such as in neighbouring South Melbourne, can be reached only by crossing major roads.

"The CityLink intersection is a dead heart in Southbank," according to the study. "Despite aspirations for a downtown character, much recent development has created insular and self-contained buildings designed to be accessible primarily by car."

The report suggests solutions including an improved walking, cycling and traffic network, to link Southbank to surrounding areas.

The report maps out several large-scale projects over the next decade. It also finds that better public spaces must be built and all new residential buildings must "talk to the street", and link in with other buildings to reduce the enclave phenomenon.

Out of all the towers proposed/uc in Southbank, why has just this one supposedly angered residents? Is it blocking someones views?

I agree with the article so far as ammenties are concerned. The whole area is a sewer of traffic. Should improve once the council do that community spine project that was talked about. I also think that prehaps City Road, Southbank Blvd and Power St south of City Road should be the focus for traffic in the area with the other streets limited to local traffic and prettied up a bit. Future apartment buildings should also be required to have retail/community facilites or some other form of active street frontage.

The City of Melbourne Draft Southbank Plan (http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/opm/bc/CTEE/meetings/PC_55_20071113.pdf) is great, and highlights a number of projects that need to be undertaken within the next 5-10 years.

crown - not wasting time
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/cd200711.jpg

super mtc
http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/mtc200711.jpg

Thanks for the updates SilverMB, MTC looks amazing!

MTC is certainly turning out as good as the renders at this early stage. I hope the St Kilda triangle site is a true to its renders. Thanks for the pics, excellent study procrastination.

I reckon MTC looks better than the renders! It seemed almost unreal - in a trippy, laserlight, ARM kind of way. Seeing it in the flesh is awesome.

Awesome!

is that the new crown hotel? if so, it looks great.

ya huh!
it is seriously going to look awesome, i was there last night and was thinking about what the area will be like in 5 years!

MTC + Recital

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/1998639521_e38b842392_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/1998639485_7d9e0c9f0f_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/1998639543_1aae665c46_b.jpg

Crown Hotel

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2130/1998639557_73833de410_b.jpg

I'm in love:lovethem:

I'm in love:lovethem:

well i'm twice as in love :lovethem::lovethem:



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/1998639543_1aae665c46_b.jpg



imagine MTC when it's lit up!

This in itself could be the landmark Melbourne needs!

Cheers silvermb & gappa for the updates. I didn't realise construction of these buildings was at such an advanced stage - relieved to see them looking like they'll live up to the promise of the renders.
I'd like to put on my 'smug melburnian' cap for a second to say how blessed we are, as admirers of quality architecture, to live in a city that has one of the most diverse and impressive range of cutting edge contemporary buildings of any city on earth - if St Kilda triangle & CUB site deliver, then we're on another level!

^^^^Castro, buddy...I exactly share your sentiments...and totally have faith in St. Kilda and CUB projects...and if I may add the Powerstaion site will be of crucial significance...and I do understand Quantas` joy for another landmark...he he...after all Jeff Kenneth was and still is my hero...oops,blurrted out my political affiliations...:nuts:

I am very impressed by the MTC theatre and the Recital Hall. I thought that they'd look a little tacky going by the renders, but if anything they look much better than the renders; these are going to rock!

Can't wait for the 2009 MTC season. :banana:

imagine MTC when it's lit up!

Yeah, it will look like staring down a kaleidoscope while on acid, like every other ARM building.

Now they only need to star that Arts Centre project to bring all that area together...I cannot wait for that new art centre promenade that will encompass the new MTC and existing Malthouse Theatre...that is going to create a wonderful and unique precinct...

Now they only need to star that Arts Centre project to bring all that area together...I cannot wait for that new art centre promenade that will encompass the new MTC and existing Malthouse Theatre...that is going to create a wonderful and unique precinct...

Yes the whole area will be a massive tourist magnet in years to come.:cheers:

Crown today from Rialto:

http://ozfrog.thehoddlegrid.net/construction/Crown20071115.jpg

They certainly aren't waisting any time with this beast!

I think something like MTC would be ideal for central peir. The way it lights up, the careful planning: if it was in a better location i think it could be our "superficial" landmark.


On another note, i keep getting heaps of annoying junk mail from Trypich!
They really like advertising! Some scannes after the break...

double post

I think something like MTC would be ideal for central peir. The way it lights up, the careful planning: if it was in a better location i think it could be our "superficial" landmark.


..

I don't think MTC would suit Central Pier. Central Pier needs something that stands out and is easily visible from places like the Bolte Bridge etc and that really gives the skyline some oomph.

MTC is just way too small for CP.

Let me rephrase that...

MTC would be an ideal GUIDELINE for central pier

PS: like the new avatar.

How tall with that Crown Hotel be?

How tall with that Crown Hotel be?

30 floors.
Less than 100m

I actually think it'll be over 100m.

I actually think it'll be over 100m.

I thought there were height regulations...

The 100m height limit is discretionary.

Oooh!
:)

re MTC and the Recital Hall...the sign says opening in 2009...seems a long way off given the advanced stage of construction. Is it just the internals that will take that long to complete?

re MTC and the Recital Hall...the sign says opening in 2009...seems a long way off given the advanced stage of construction. Is it just the internals that will take that long to complete?

any venue for performing arts is supposedly a NIGHTMARE to design and implement.

what's going to happen to the old convention centre after the new one is built?? will it continue to be used or u think they might redevelop it?

Jeffs Shed is used for exhibitions, show rooms, events etc. The new convention centre is for talks and conventions (funnily enough) hence the huge auditorium.
They are built next to eachother so bigger events and conferences can be held in the one location though the two buildings, if needed.

The new convention centre is for conventions

YOUR NOT SERIOUS???? :lol:

what's going to happen to the old convention centre after the new one is built?? will it continue to be used or u think they might redevelop it?

I think he is refering to the OLD CONVENTION CENTRE which is located on the corner of Spencer and Flinders Streets and forms part of the old World Trade Centre. That was the pervious CONVENTION centre.

Does anyone know what is happening to that?

I imagine the old Convention Centre...first built and called the World Congress Centre! could be renovated and still used for conventions.....The Dallas Brooks Hall in east Melbourne could be gone soon and it is good to have a number of venues for different size needs. Even places like the Sofitel etc have function rooms for conventions when that scale of area is required....There are times when a number of Conventions could be held in the City at the same time etc.The old centre is well located close to the new centre and Exhibition Centre so the whole precinct could be used for a mega convention if the need arised.

I think it'll be demolished and the WTC will be expanded. There are about 5 stages to the WTC refurbishment/extension works. So far only stage 1 has been completed.

Crown 3 today (lots of pile driving):

http://ozfrog.thehoddlegrid.net/construction/Crown20071201.jpg

Note to mods: Seeing as Crown is starting to ramp up, would now be the right time for the project to get its own thread?

hey guys...what about those Triptych apartments near Art Centre...that is going to be a welcome addition to the south bank precinct, and the design does look good...and it will fill in the void in that area...are they a definite thing or...

Is that development in Cecil Street the ugliest thing you have ever seen? Is there an external finish that they didn't use? And they said the Casino was ugly!

ive seen worse

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/slx200711.jpg

I guess but that is just woeful. Do you think that because Spotlight is one of the anchor tenants that the made the facade theme look like the leftovers from a remnants sale?

An application for an apartment tower has been submitted for 269 City Road, no details on height yet.

^^ grool!
lets get something that will make an impact!
what are the regulations for the area?

Crown today:

http://ozfrog.thehoddlegrid.net/construction/Crown20071208.jpg


Recital Hall:

http://ozfrog.thehoddlegrid.net/construction/RecitalHall20071208.jpg

I like the articulation of the facade of the Spotlight/Woolworths development. Its not a bland suburban shopping strip, but it reflects the eclectic streetscapes of the inner city. Well done. As is the new Clarendon St developemnt, it too is great.

In the Crown photo, those sticks popping up from the ground all clustered together in different heights, what are they? I've never seen anything like them before on any other building development?

Piles.

still about half way through external fit-out. lost both cranes in the last week

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/mtc200712.jpg

This one is going to be stunning. I love it!~ :D

Qantas 743....as drunkill said they are piles....sometimes depending on ground condition piles are driven as part of the footings as an alternative to drilling cores and pouring concrete...or digging deep for basements etc.

www.melbournerecital.org.au

Check out the lastest publication link on the recital centre site :bowtie:. I always knew the interior was going to be good, but these big glossy pics show it in much greater detail than I've seen before. It is both visually stunning and technically brilliant!

The level 2 Balcony Bar looks interesting, but I cant see a balcony in the page 2 front render though?

Thanks for that Mandelbrot. They have nice renders ;)

I like the articulation of the facade of the Spotlight/Woolworths development. Its not a bland suburban shopping strip, but it reflects the eclectic streetscapes of the inner city. Well done. As is the new Clarendon St developemnt, it too is great.

We can all understand what they are trying to do by creating the eclectic facade ( like the fine grain of sub-division found in the CBD) but it is so poorly executed. It is way too jarringly contrasted and it just has not worked at all.

AWESOME!!!! Cant wait to see it finished!

Just found this..think it's old?...but http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/5243/scan006mediumfr0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
By redbaron_012 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/redbaron_012)

It's Vue Grande:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=391761&page=6

109 clarendon has commenced construction

Must've started yesterday, didn't see anything when I went past Friday afternoon.

there's a piling rig there

Just found this..think it's old?...but http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/5243/scan006mediumfr0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
By redbaron_012 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/redbaron_012)


this looks too generic for my tastes.

Without condeming most apartment blocks that have gone up in recent years...with the exception of A few in St.Kilda Rd....'The Melbournian' for example....Eureka and Freshwater Place most seem to have been built as cheaply as possible for the quickest and greatest $ return....'Whats New?'.....They weld a bracket and spike on the top or change a few balconies and call it architecture?

Look at New York brownstones, or Carlton terraces. See much variety there?

269 City Road will be 41 levels high and around 130m.

Looks like developers are thinking big again on Southbank, I would have expected only 30 levels for this site.

It's a corner site so hopefully it throws up an interesting 'sharp' form and along with 109 Clarendon should take the focus off Dominion.

Crown III:

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/4668/pic0012bm3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nothing much going on here...move along.......... http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1483/southbankxo8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
By redbaron_012 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/redbaron_012)

AHHHHH!!! GAS AND FUEL!!!! :cry:
it's horribleness scares me.
what a time!!!

who's building crown 3?

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/664/triptychyu5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ hasn't that design gone backwards at a rate of knots

crown three builder not yet known, but if they're true to form it will be BH.

anyone know what L86 of eureka is - office/function? theres a $5 million dollar fitout occuring

It think that is the top penthouse? They were sold as a shell which you could do whatever fitouts you wanted with, so would make sense...

Stu

http://www.built.com.au/library/showcase/1192681926_showcase_render_daytime_copy2.jpghttp://www.built.com.au/library/project/1192683029_image_lg_ye4.jpg

Oooooooohhh that's so hot.

Crown 3 today:

http://ozfrog.thehoddlegrid.net/construction/Crown20071230.jpg

Don/t tell me that that little building on Whiteman St, Crown recently purchased is going to be left in the middle of all this new development. :(

Don/t tell me that that little building on Whiteman St, Crown recently purchased is going to be left in the middle of all this new development. :(

No the building has been purchased by crown and will be demolished very soon.

Another month, another Southbank tower proposal.

46-50 Haig street - 31 levels.

Apparently the buildings on this site are some of the few on Southbank that have some heritage value so it will be interesting to see how they have adressed that.

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/iheritageweb/images%5C110474_sp(1)_200206.jpg

That has heritage value!! You're kidding, right?

This is Melbourne. If somethings left on the ground for over 20 years it automatically gets a heritage listing.:nuts:

This is from the MCC I-Heritage database:

Architectural Style Tudor Revival
Period 1900-15 - Edwardian
Construction Date 1910

This unusual brick residence is noteworthy for its simple parapet and elaborate doorway flanked by pilasters realised in brick. The original window joinery has been replaced and the brickwork painted, but the structure appears to be in substantially original condition.
_____________________________

The description does not match the photo above, so there is something wrong.

So obviously not referring to the shed in the photo then.

When I point out some of the buildings, sheds or structures that have been heritage listed to some of my European friends...they laugh alot!

i wish i had European friends...

:lol: How cute.

OK...no Gas and Fuel in this one.....not much else either? http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3293/southbanklargerb8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
By redbaron_012 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/redbaron_012)

Yes, you are right, no G&F but that's because it might be cut out of the picture on the far right. That is a pic of the old Mobil HQ & ? (forget the other one) on Southbank looking south west from Batman Ave.

yucky!
i love southbank in 2007!

Yes Aussie Steve, I know the G&F wouldn't be in this pic even if built back then. I said that after someone commented about them in the last early pic of southbank overlooking fro the city. The other building beside the then Mobil bld. was APM (Aust. Paper Manufacturers) headquarters. Those two sure looked to the future by building south of the Yarra and CBD.

I think the mobile headquarters was much more interesting than the bland apartment block they turned it into. Funny how quickly trends move - an upgrade of materials and that's closer to what is being built today than the postmodern crap that it was turned into in the 90s.

Anyone got a picture for comparison?

The city shares it's secrets everyday :) I had no idea that apartment building used to be an office building, but I always thought it was an odd design for an apartment building.

This image courtesy of Dallas in the Melbourne Dec 07 thread shows how it looks now..

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/jasondallas/Melbourne/Upload8a.jpg

I think that if they used the same format and just built minimalist balconies within the existing window boxes it would be a much better outcome.

How it is just looks wishy washy (that's a technical term ;) )

very different angle...

Both pics from same direction with old Mobil building ( White apartment block) at left but newer pic taken from Princes bridge and the older pic taken from further away looking from north river bank east of bridge.....PS...the smaller block in the old pic(APM) was demolished for Quay West Building.

south bank, looking good!!!

269 City Road will be 41 levels high and around 130m.

Looks like developers are thinking big again on Southbank, I would have expected only 30 levels for this site.

This one is being developed by First Delta Group after the success of 109 Claredon.

There is a heritage listed old bank on the corner that will be retained and the tower will be built behind that.

Drove through southbank area yesterday....City Road etc. In the long term not sure how total area works at street level....most footpaths have very bland concrete, or dressed up sculptural design covering car parking levels or blank walls...not people friendly at all...not sure how these streetscapes can be made to be an attractive area to wander..It's as if the River front promonade is the visual and people place and then you just move to the area behind to find your car or return to your apartment.....I like the gold bees, nice Aston Martins and Roller showrooms at Eureka. BMW's dealership is borderline???? can see it is architectural but could have been better. Probably this observation applies to the whole St.Kilda Rd. to the Convention Centre stretch! Do you agree?

Yes! Southbank at street level is like a mid-western American city. But I remember reading on here awhile back a plan to change that, improve pedestrian access, beautification etc so I think it's something the council definitely has on their mind.

Not sure if you were referring to the street level architecture or the street level itself in your post though :)

The revamping of Sturt St will help tremendously in this (I'm sure Archi or someone has posted this a few pages back).

Yeah, Aussie Steve posted it. It's well worth the read:

The City of Melbourne Draft Southbank Plan (http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/opm/bc/CTEE/meetings/PC_55_20071113.pdf) is great, and highlights a number of projects that need to be undertaken within the next 5-10 years.

Coming along nicely:

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/09-01-2008/recital.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/09-01-2008/recital%202.jpg

hey, those gold bees on Eureka may have been ment for this building? looks very bee -hivish

Crown site:
http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/09-01-2008/crown%20forum.jpg

Thanks Grollo. RC looks so much better than the renders.

First look at South Wharf Melbourne as you've never seen it
PETER ROLFE, State politics reporter
286 words
30 December 2007
Sunday Herald Sun
1 - FIRST
21
English
Copyright 2007 News Ltd. All Rights Reserved

THESE exclusive photos give a sneak preview of the final piece in the Southbank link from Melbourne CBD to Docklands.

Work is now well under way on the $1.4 billion entertainment, retail and residential development that will extend the riverside esplanade from Southbank to Telstra Dome.

Melbourne Convention Centre, the biggest convention centre in the southern hemisphere, stands as the jewel in the development.

A five-star Hilton hotel and office complex tower above it. Shops and apartments are scattered among a series of laneways throughout.

And a homemaker centre lies beneath the 100,000sq m precinct.

The public hub -- the pedestrian promenade, food and bar region and shopping strip which hugs the Yarra River -- will be known as South Wharf.

The Brumby Government this month approved the South Wharf development, worth $750 million, a joint venture between developers Austexx and Plenary Group.

Austexx chief executive Geoff Porz said the development would change the face of Melbourne.

``You will be able to wander around Telstra Dome, walk around to the new South Wharf for a coffee and straight through to the CBD,'' he said.

Heritage sheds that line the riverbank will be transformed into restaurants with river views.

Mr Porz predicted South Wharf would become a leading tourist destination. It would include one of Melbourne's biggest shopping centres, a five-screen cinema and 3000 car parking spaces.

The revamped convention centre precinct and South Wharf are expected to be completed by 2009.

Crown Melbourne, owner of the Crown casino, intends to build Australia's biggest hotel in the precinct by 2010.

And a homemaker centre lies beneath the 100,000sq m precinct.

Thats interesting to note as the renders seemed to show it aboveground. Although thats assuming that there is only one "homemaker" center.

:applause: One of Melbourne's biggest shopping centres?.. Wow..

Since when does it have a cinema??? You would think that it is a bit out of the way for a cinema especially since Crown is so close.

Cinemas would work better at Victoria Harbour.

It will have 60,000 square metres of retail, the 100,000 square metres includes the office tower as well.

I think the design has changed somewhat, compared to the suburban centre design we saw a few months back. The office tower and podium has changed slightly.

Before:

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/6458/austexxsg1.jpg

After:

http://www.mccd.vic.gov.au/media/images/29-sw02night05-resize-l-6b58decc-f143-46e9-ba56-31f3e9f54239.jpg

Not sure what the back of it looks like though.

Archi - I can't see any change in the design at all from the 'Before' and 'After' (apart from the time of day, that is...)
Is it just me?

^^ the only difference i see is the SW at the top of the office tower *shrugs*
They could have put another tower in between the two already there lol

and yarras edge is in the 'after' one :)

Not my best work.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/5706/sweditrq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thanx for pointing that out archi, the newer one looks much nicer then the first renders we seen.

where they only 'design developnment'?

This one is being developed by First Delta Group after the success of 109 Claredon.

There is a heritage listed old bank on the corner that will be retained and the tower will be built behind that.

respectable design - all glass and damn big
http://www.fdg.net.au/Portals/8/Images/CurrentProjects/large/clark.jpg

I was pretty close:

It's a corner site so hopefully it throws up an interesting 'sharp' form and along with 109 Clarendon should take the focus off Dominion.

Looks good, although I think they should have have extended the glass volume all the way to the top.

yeah, that's respect.

I love how they build skyscrapers in this city - especially ones like that! Love the battleship prow.

From this one render the street activation does look pretty crap - but who cares, it is on City rd after all.

Today:

http://ozfrog.thehoddlegrid.net/construction/Crown20080119.jpg

The King Furniture building on the corner of Clarendon St & City Rd is for sale by tender. Tenders close on 17 March.

The ad states the site has an expired permit for a 32 level tower.

That would be this Bruce Henderson design:

http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=139136

not a bad design...

http://www.emporis.com/images/6/2002/01/139136.jpg

Superb design, the mix of traditional bluestone and funky architecture is so Melbourne:
http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/RECITAL.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/RECITAL 1.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/RECITAL 2.jpg

been watching this go up tha last 5/6 months, have to say it looks a little tacky.

:S

not what i expected. will date like a betch.

I disagree. From the renders I was worried that it looked tacky and a bit too try hard - but in reality it looks so much better. I think it'll be great.

Still not convinced about the pvc 3D cages next door though.

I disagree. From the renders I was worried that it looked tacky and a bit too try hard - but in reality it looks so much better. I think it'll be great.

You stole the words out of my mouth...

Quick question, when was the elevated walkway removed from the old Channel Seven studios in Wells Street?

I disagree. From the renders I was worried that it looked tacky and a bit too try hard - but in reality it looks so much better. I think it'll be great.

Still not convinced about the pvc 3D cages next door though.

you blind gappa. :p

i jog by tha place all tha time... it's so odd. but in its defense i guess i'll wait til it's over... but tha honey comb thing and weird white-frames feature is a bit o_O

You are from Perth though. :P

dood seriously. i bag out designs i don't like in my own home town and anywhere else... i don't play into tha whole "gotta support" what's in my backyard even if it's crap...

if anything i'm prolly more critical of my own home town... as would anyone who is fired up enough about tha whole issue...

:p

it's just an opinion. from what i see in tha renders, it's not what fits my "taste"/mold of what i perceive to be good design...

you blind gappa. :p

i jog by tha place all tha time... it's so odd. but in its defense i guess i'll wait til it's over... but tha honey comb thing and weird white-frames feature is a bit o_O

I would answer your question (well statement) but I can't see it. :)

Plenty of demolition work being undertaken this weekend -

The area bounded by Kings Way and Sturt, Miles & Moore Sts

and

The area bounded by Kings Way, Kavanagh & Balson Sts and West Gate Freeway.

Just looking at the Recital Hall..again..and thought it's an OK design yet wondered if it really suits the corner location.....they have put a good bluestone facade on Sturt St. but it just kind of looks more like a side wall, not a street facade.The NVG gets away with it because that's it's facade design. Internal requirements are most important but the building can be viewed viewed from many directions.

Gives Me Wood!

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/RECITAL%201.jpg

(Suffer the pun!)



i actually don't like the interiors that much...

Is it just me or has almost EVERY fashion shop in Crown been taken over by a restraunt.
-Bvlgari
-Burbery
-Prada
-Louis Vuitton

Where have all these stores moved to? Or have they just left melbourne altogether?

Where have all these stores moved to? Or have they just left melbourne altogether?

Burberry remains on the Whitman Street Entrance, Prada is now located on the east end of Collins Street. LV is where it has always been, that being Collins Street and in Crown, Versace Remains, Bvlgari is on Collins Street.

Has the Prada shop opened yet?

Does anyone know if the Hard Rock Cafe will reopen somewhere (Southbank...Docklands? ) in Melbourne after closing it's Windsor Hotel site ?

No it won't be. I contacted Hard Rock a month or two back and enquired about the site because it was missing from their list, and they said "regrettably" the site has closed and would not be reopening under the current owners. IE someone else has to buy a franchise from Hard Rock if the restaurant is going to open again.

all those stores are at tha front of crown main entrance?

It's just that it costs so much to travel to buy pins from everywhere else!!!!!!!! I never eat there

all those stores are at tha front of crown main entrance?

I wouldn't really say that Crown actually has a single "main entrance".

Anyway, expensive designer stores aren't going to be in my league any time soon, but restaurants are much better suited for that location seeing that it's in the middle of an entertainment district, and more people like me might actually be able to spend money there.

Those stores were mainly located around the hotel part of Crown, the eastern end.

Westpac plans 300-unit tower

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23208919-25658,00.html

Turi Condon | February 14, 2008

WESTPAC Bank's $500 million residential property trust has finalised the purchase of a Melbourne site for a 300-apartment tower and is negotiating to buy two other parcels as it creates a string of branded apartment complexes nationally.

A joint venture between the bank and three veteran property and banking players, weLive, has finalised the $17 million purchase of a former Channel 7 site in Melbourne's Southbank. It hopes to start work on it and an inner-Sydney site at Zetland in the middle of the year.

The two projects, with a development value of about $120 million each, would total more than 600 apartments, weLive chairman Stewart Ewen said.

The group was also looking at two other sites and expected to spend about $40 million on acquisitions in the second half of the year, he said.

The weLive venture was formed in 2006 by Mike Katz, a one-time aspirant for the chief executive's job at the Commonwealth Bank, and long-time property players David Berry and Mr Ewen.

Last year it joined forces with Westpac Bank to create what is expected to be a $500 million residential property fund.

The joint venture will develop apartment towers around the country that will be owned by the Westpac fund.

The latest site, on the corner of Wells and Coventry Streets in Melbourne's Southbank, was bought from St Hilliers.

"We will stick to Sydney and Melbourne at present to give us economies of scale," Mr Ewen said.

Brisbane and Canberra were next on the list, he said.

The first apartment site in Zetland was bought last year for almost $20 million.

The weLive joint venture has lodged a development application for a five-building, 308-apartment complex, and another 300 apartments are planned for the single Melbourne tower.

Tenants would be able to sign long-term residential leases of two, three or five years, which would allow communities to grow. The leases will be transferrable between weLive properties.

Paul Gratton, a former Macquarie Bank and CSR executive, had been appointed weLive's chief executive, Mr Ewen said.

Westpac building branded apartments, sounds good, and 300 apartments, sounds big and interesting. :)

Sounds like a good idea... 300 units? whats that? considering the site I think we could see something in the 40 to 60 story range.

I'm thinking 40 storeys.

The approved tower on teh site only has 23 levels so it must be a fat bastard.

The approved tower on teh site only has 23 levels so it must be a fat bastard.

With the amount of fat little campus complexes going up in this city it won't be long before Melbourne turns into The Pentagon.

The current approval has only 250 apartments so they might make some of teh apartments smaller or add a couple of floors.

http://property.sthilliers.com.au/images/stories/fund/wells_2.jpg

deleted

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/cockies-not-so-rapt-as-zorro-flies-in/2008/02/14/1202760494753.html

From The Age

Cockies not so rapt as Zorro flies in
Beck Eleven
February 15, 2008

http://www.thecollectormm.com/private/CollinsTwins2.jpg

COCKATOOS beware: Zorro is the new winged protector of Melbourne's Arts Centre spire.

With two tonnes of crushing power in his claws and a wingspan of more than two metres, Zorro the wedge-tailed eagle and Bibi the peregrine falcon were yesterday put to action.

They were tethered to the spire in an attempt to discourage sulphur-crested cockatoos from destroying some of its 30,000 light bulbs.

The two birds form part of a six-week trial to rid the spire of the pecking, squawking cockatoos. After two weeks, audio tapes of distressed cockatoos will be introduced to further discourage the pest birds.

Arts Centre spokesman Jeremy Vincent said "marauding groups" of up to a dozen cockatoos were ruining one of Melbourne's night-time spectacles with their daytime attacks.

The cockatoos have caused $70,000 damage to the thimble-sized lights and electrical fittings. The bulbs cost $1 each.

Mr Vincent would not go into past methods to discourage the cockatoos but said he felt more comfortable pitting nature against nature to tackle the ornithological vandals.

Graeme Coles, owner of conservation organisation Full Flight, keeps 38 birds, including parrots and other wedge-tailed eagles.

Although Mr Coles described Zorro as the "juvenile delinquent" of the bunch, the bird was chosen for the daily security roster because he was the best traveller.

A more impressively sized female eagle suffers from car sickness. Both Zorro and Bibi will remain sightless under leather masks during their time up the spire to keep the birds calm.

After the feathered defenders were presented to the media, camera-wielding tourists flocked to stroke and photograph the birds before they were taken to the bottom of the spire to begin their cockatoo scaring duties.

Similar methods have been used successfully to deter pest birds at Flemington Racecourse and the MCG.

Bird keepers will sit with the birds during the day and remove them each afternoon at about 4pm.

They were tethered to the spire in an attempt to discourage sulphur-crested cockatoos from destroying some of its 30,000 light bulbs.

HOW CRUEL!!! :cry:

Great pic!

30 years ago I don't think they thought about Cockatoos?????
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/830/artscentre1978largedb1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
By redbaron_012 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/redbaron_012)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/2276299483_f2d39e5883_b.jpg
Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hopkinsii/2276299483/

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/9493/picture25na8.png

Insideness.... i think it's still current!

pulled from the archive thread...

dont forget mirvac have the office block/carpark between pwc & eureka, 450 apartments - 200m easy


do mirvac still own that block?