Tim Gurner proposes paddy fields-inspired North Fitzroy project

Tim Gurner proposes paddy fields-inspired North Fitzroy project
Jonathan ChancellorDecember 7, 2020

The Melbourne hip suburban fringe property developer Tim Gurner has submitted plans for his $350 million development in North Fitzroy.

It will feature terraced apartments with their own terrace gardens.

His architect, Koichi Takada proposes a cascading 16-storey development of about 550 apartments, covered in greenery inspired by the rice paddies of south-east Asia.  

Apartment prices will start at $450,000 for a 47-square-metre, one-bedroom apartment rising to $4 million for a 135-square-metre four-bedder.

Tim Gurner's proposed development will retain the existing industrial heritage facade, with a piazza offering community space and shops and restaurants.

The $40 million site was bought in February on Queens Parade. The site was the K.G. Luke Pty Ltd electro plate manufacturing factory created in 1938 for Kenneth G. Luke. 

In 1921 Kenneth Luke became a partner in a small metal-spinning and silverware business at Carlton.

By 1925 he was its proprietor and an employer of seven. These employees were still with him thirty years later, with 650 others, making an ever-increasing range of products: silverware, stainless steel surgical equipment, plated goods and glass-washing machines.

Luke went on to achieve many major public roles.

In 1938-55 he was president of the Carlton Football Club. A delegate (from 1935) to the Victorian Football League, he was its vice president (1946-55) and president (1956-71). 

Jonathan Chancellor

Jonathan Chancellor is one of Australia's most respected property journalists, having been at the top of the game since the early 1980s. Jonathan co-founded the property industry website Property Observer and has written for national and international publications.

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