Best site in Melb for a Supertall?

11014 Views 98 Replies 32 Participants Last post by L2, Jun 6, 2012

cage of man

Discussion Starter · May 18, 2012

So I noticed this forum is often used to discuss proposed projects or UC buildings etc, but not many hypothetical discussions.

I really feel like Melbourne would be a "complete" city if it had a supertall. Probably wouldnt need to be too rediculously tall, anywhere from 320m - 350m would be great.

Where do you think would be a good site for such a building?

This is strictly hypotheitical meaning, i dont care if such an area is zoned a certain way, or it would never in reality be built there, but where would Melbourne's skyline really benefit from it?

Would you prefer to see one south of the river, or in the CBD, or perhaps in one of the new proposed regions like West Melb train yards etc, or fisherbends bend?

On one hand i think it should be further away from eureka and QBH, to give the city some balance, but at the same time if it were built southbank area, would really make for a really happening area etc.

apologies to anyone who dont like discussing or see the point of hypotheticals.

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1 - 20 of 99 Posts

Qantas743

· #2 · May 18, 2012

I think the ex-SAMA site would be of most benefit, i.e. 'gateway' to the city.

A building nestled within the western or eastern clusters would also look pretty good IMO.

ooh

· #3 · May 18, 2012

The old AXA building, now Suncorp on Collins Street (with the falling marble).

Collins Street address
Big plot to allow for a large footprint
Easily serviceable with established streets on all 4 sides (car park, deliveries)
Because of the above, could have building designed to look awesome from all 4 sides (no blank walls or boundary issues)
Great 360 degree views
Massive impact on the skyline from Southbank
Middle of the CBD
Tram on doorstep

No better spot for one IMO.

Good idea for a thread. Hypotheticals are what a lot of forums are about!

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AshMelb

· #4 · May 18, 2012

Isn't there a guideline of zoning of certain areas of Melb that cap height limits? Eg: Along Swantson street must be low rise (not sure exact height) so views of the Shrine aren't blocked. Where in Melb CBD is there a height limit higher than 300m?

Good thread by the way

tdoz123

· #5 · May 18, 2012

AshMelb said:
Isn't there a guideline of zoning of certain areas of Melb that cap height limits? Eg: Along Swantson street must be low rise (not sure exact height) so views of the Shrine aren't blocked. Where in Melb CBD is there a height limit higher than 300m?

Good thread by the way

someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I beleive that apart from heigh restriction zones in the 'gap', Bourke st near Parliament , other heritage precincts etc... there are no prescribed height limits for any other part of the CBD. so basically everywhere west of Queen st.

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ChrisJudd83

· #6 · May 18, 2012 (Edited)

Swanston st spine is 40 metres and the suncorp one may have some overshadowing issues to deal with although the Rialto more than doubles the current buildings height. Also great spot for a future subway station on a future Doncaster to fisho line via flagstaff and parkville. Docklands really should have had some proper buildings if it is to be anything like the CBD. Due to barriers separating it, it should have been just another inner city village like st kilda so commercial development is not taken away from the CBD

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Andrewwise

· #7 · May 18, 2012

The site where 567 Collins street is going would be primo for a 400 metre if they demolished the Flinders Lane Carpark behind it.

MelbourneOnTheRise

· #8 · May 18, 2012

Golden Square carpark site 231 Lonsdale Street. Could also be merged with the Bourke Street Target site.

redbaron_012

· #9 · May 18, 2012

I agree with ooh, the AXA site would be amazing. A freestanding supertall, visualize a building the scale of Willis Tower ( old Sears in Chicago ) standing on the western end of the site with a rehashed plaza and garden area around it's base. Looking at the city from any direction a supertall here would look an integrated part of the city fabric..............One problem. Overshadowing of the Yarra would stop it.
I feel frustrated with laws and rules that put a blanket over every development even if something like this on a plot like this would be a one off. Any development should be judged on it's merits or overall asset to the city.

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L2

· #10 · May 18, 2012

Keon Parade, Reservoir?

NoshowwithoutPunch

· #11 · May 19, 2012

Andrewwise said:
The site where 567 Collins street is going would be primo for a 400 metre if they demolished the Flinders Lane Carpark behind it.

Can they just buy the carpark and make it their contributed share? Not like MCC wants more parking in the cbd.

A r c h i

· #12 · May 19, 2012

ISPT own the carpark. I think they'd be more likely to buy the 567 Collins site.

Mickeebee

· #13 · May 20, 2012

Whatever that site is that had the "church Place" (?????) proposal years ago...Perfect spot for a supertall.

redbaron_012

· #14 · May 20, 2012

Church Place was the AMP St James buildings on the south west corner of William and Bourke. I agree a supertall standing on one of the highest sites in the CBD would be logical. It always seems funny to me that all our tallest buildings with the exception of 120 Collins and maybe Bourke Place are on the lowest RL's of the city.
Looking at the Corner of Bourke and Queen I still see an opportunity for a supertall on one of those corners...........no classified buildings worth saving.

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Grampians

· #15 · May 20, 2012

put a supertall on the nw corner of Bourke and Elizabeth...plenty of godawful frontage along Elizabeth that can be wiped out in the process.
Please do not use reasonable/even nice CBD corner lots for a supertall
damn the "gap" in one overwhelming flourish:lol:

tower_dan

· #16 · May 20, 2012

Stick it at the new Collins st/Bourne st intersection!
I conic building for the (soon to be) most iconic address in Oz!

Garmatt

· #17 · May 20, 2012

Agree Grampians.

loafingoaf

· #18 · May 20, 2012

L2 said:
Keon Parade, Reservoir?

OK, I actually LOL-led at that ...

TheDismantler

· #19 · May 20, 2012

That construction site that started across the road from Flinders Street Station in the late-1990s...I think it goes by the name "Federation Square"...should be brought completely down to street level and a nice 300m+ residential and office complex should be constructed with city and Yarra views.

L2

· #20 · May 20, 2012

loafingoaf said:
OK, I actually LOL-led at that ...

Just trying to think of places that are such massive dumps that they need something outrageous to brighten them up

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