ApartmentsLeon Della BoscaTue 12 May 26
JML Property Plots $32.5m South Melbourne Scheme
Plans at South Melbourne for a nine-storey mixed-use scheme to bridge the suburb’s Victorian-era shopfronts and its emerging highrise character are now before the City of Port Phillip.
JML Property Clarendon Street has filed the application for 163-171 Clarendon Street, on the north-east corner of Clarendon and Market streets, within the South Melbourne Major Activity Centre.
The project is 1.5km south of the Melbourne CBD and has an estimated development cost of $32.5 million.
Rising nine storeys above two basement levels, the proposed building would include six levels of residential apartments totalling 16 homes and two levels of commercial office space. It would replace a two-storey commercial building.
All 16 apartments would include balconies, with the design meeting Clause 58 Better Apartment Design Standards across solar access, privacy and accessibility.
The ground level would include two retail tenancies, a commercial lobby and two residential lobbies. Vehicle access would be via a rear laneway, and 24 basement car spaces and 34 bicycle spaces provided.
The DKO Architects plans show a three-storey podium aligning with neighbouring Victorian-era shopfronts.
The design sets upper levels back to reduce visual bulk and improve solar access.
More than 50 per cent of the ground-floor facade would be clear-glazed, “supporting pedestrian activity and passive surveillance” and, according to planning documents, the corner treatment between Clarendon and Market Streets is “cut-out”, which “creates a better streetscape visibility and amenity outcome.”
Zoned Commercial 1, the site currently has no vehicle access. An Environmental Audit Overlay and Design and Development Overlay (Schedule 8) also apply, with the former ensuring the site meets suitability requirements for residential use.
Mechanical plant would be concealed from street view, with provision made for urban art installations.
According to the town planning report prepared by Contour Consultants the proposal “represents an excellent planning outcome for the subject site, providing for new ground level retail premises, commercial office space, and 16 new [homes]”.
Nearby at Southbank, PDG is advancing plans for One Queens Bridge, a $450-million, 71-storey tower at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street that would deliver 637 apartments alongside a 181-key hotel, office and retail space, designed by Cox Architects.
