Blue Earth's Fishermans Bend skyscraper moves to construction, Ivanhoe approaching launch

Blue Earth's Fishermans Bend skyscraper moves to construction, Ivanhoe approaching launch
Mark BaljakAugust 5, 2018

Developer Blue Earth Group is pushing through with two sizeable developments, including initiating Fishermans Bend's latest skyscraper.

Piling works have begun at Southbank's 202-214 Normanby Road, heralding the latest addition to the sluggish Fishermans Bend development scene. Blue Earth Group reportedly nabbed the approved 1,518 square metre site during 2017 when it was offered for sale with a permit in place.

Rothelowman created the approved scheme for the site although an amended design is being sought for the tower, with CHT Architects tipped to be leading the redesign.

Blue Earth's Fishermans Bend skyscraper moves to construction, Ivanhoe approaching launch
Normanby Road and the initial Rothelowman design

202-214 Normanby Road's initiation is the first major apartment project start within Fishermans Bend in over a year. Incidentally Blue Earth Group was the first developer to begin construction of a residential tower in the urban renewal precinct, with Gravity Tower commencing during 2015.

Since that time there have been scant few construction starts within Fishermans Bend as planning uncertainty superseded many development applications. The only other project moving toward construction is directly opposite 202-214 Normanby Road; Capital Alliance is looking to move the mixed-use 199-201 Normanby Road tower to construction during this quarter.

Across town and Blue Earth Group is preparing for the launch of a major mixed-use development in Ivanhoe.

Site clearance works are all but complete across 37-63 Bell Street with a display suite taking shape. Developer JTX International gained approval for 36,000 square metres of built form across the triple fronted 8,924 square metre site and promptly onsite the permit.

Blue Earth Group reportedly picked up the site during 2017. Whether the developer sticks with the Hayball-designed approved scheme remains to be seen.

Approved within the Hayball scheme are 244 residential apartments, 80 Independent Living Units, 100 Aged Care beds, a 90 place childcare centre and 665 square metres of commercial space.

Blue Earth's Fishermans Bend skyscraper moves to construction, Ivanhoe approaching launch
37-63 Bell Street Ivanhoe's current progress

Blue Earth Group's moves on Ivanhoe and Fishermans Bend are in addition to their current crop of developments.

A short distance to their Bell Street development, marketing continues in earnest for 9-11 Martin Street in Heidelberg. Dubbed Martin & Powlett the projejct includes approximately 120 dwellings.

Now at construction for the developer is the first phase of Footscray's 2-6 Hopkins Street, Brunswick West's 1-5 Olive York Way and Embassy within Richmond. Add Southbank's The International which is receiving its finishing touches and the quartet of builds will add hundreds of new apartments to Melbourne's stock. 

Mark Baljak

Mark Baljak was a co-founder of Urban.com.au. He passed away on Thursday 8th of November 2018 after a battle with cancer. He was 37. Mark was a keen traveller, having visited all six permanently-inhabited continents and had a love of craft beer. One of his biggest passions was observing the change that has occurred in Melbourne over the past two decades. In that time he built an enormous library of photos, all taken by him, which tracked the progress of construction on building sites from across metropolitan Melbourne.

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