A reworked super Southbank development edges closer to approval
News regarding Melbourne's supersized developments has slowed dramatically in recent times mirroring market fluctuations and new planning laws, yet last night's Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee has seen a major Southbank skyscraper edge closer to reality.
The behemoth spans 87-127 Queensbridge Street, with proponent Aohua Sheng Le Property Development looking to realise multiple uses within the reworked tower form.
And Aohua Sheng Le Property Development may well be closer to a permit with Melbourne City Council planners recommending that a site-specific planning amendment be incorporated, effectively recommending approval. This, in turn, would be factored in by the Planning Minister who will determine the application.
The latest version now includes land at 107-127 Queensbridge Street and sees the overall height reduced to 47 levels. A lower height equates to less overshadowing of the proposed Boyd Park nearby whilst the development also looks to partly retain heritage structures at 107 Queensbridge Street.
Aohua Sheng Le Property Development first emerged as the buyer of the site during 2016, paying $32.3 million to control the 1,856 square metre site, which has since expanded to cover 87-127 Queensbridge Street.
Cox Architecture has since joined Fender Katsalidis Architects in design duties, replicating a partnership that has also yielded Queens Place and Sapphire by the Gardens over recent times. The Southbank result is a sweeping, vaguely kidney-shaped tower form that has a sizeable frontage to Queensbridge Street.
The highly varied tower would primarily be dedicated to residential use by way of 733 apartments split between 200 single, 401 double and 132 three or more bedroom apartments. The figure of 733 is down from the 852 sought in earlier design iterations of the tower.
The current scheme would also see 4,995 square metres of office space, 188 hotel rooms and 1,369 square metres of retail space.
The tower would span 153 metres in height and include a massive 131,145 square metres of built form.
Earlier planning queries has seen the provision of a new 1,465 square metre publicly accessible forecourt to Queensbridge Street, plus an increased through-block link to City Road. Primary vehicular access will be via City Road.
The sizeable through-block link will see extensive landscaping at ground level whilst a reflective kinetic soffit will provide visual engagement. Amenities over two levels include a cinema and karaoke area, multiple lounges, dining space, pools, terrace, gym and wellness centre.
Aohua Sheng Le Property Development's intentions saw an amended proposal submitted late last year with further revised plans to address heritage concerns submitted last month.