Since our last update, the developers have finalised plans to submit to the City of Port Phillip (Council). The proposal is for an ‘up market’ five-level building comprising twenty-two apartments, a supermarket and café/bar on the ground floor, and two levels of basement parking.
The entrance to the supermarket will be from the car park on the north side. Height will increase to eighteen metres. There is no change to the footprint of the building. There is little change in overshadowing of the public realm at the September equinox (from the previously approved plans) but more at the June solstice.
The developer expects to submit plans to Council very soon. The plans will be advertised before being considered by Council. Ideally, the developer would like to commence construction early in January 2022. The construction phase is expected to take 18 months.
The BCNA welcomes development at this site. We would like the proposed tram line duplication to occur at the same time as construction, thereby minimising disruption to the community. The BCNA will work with the developer and Yarra Trams to promote this. The BCNA would also like to see more car parking spaces provided on the north side of the building. We will discuss this with Council.
The owners have undertaken to monitor and remove graffiti at the site when COVID restrictions allow.