Council gives Gurner’s City Rd plans the thumbs up

The City of Melbourne has endorsed a revised 41-storey proposal for 334 City Rd.

Submitted by renowned Melbourne developer Gurner, councillors gave their unanimous support to the amended proposal at the Future Melbourne Committee meeting on December 7, which will now go before Minister for Planning Richard Wynne for final approval.

Having purchased the site with an existing permit dating back to 2016, Gurner’s Alexaner Finn told councillors that it had “taken it upon ourselves to better the approval and that formed the basis of a design competition”.

“What we present to you this evening we consider to be a vast improvement,” Mr Finn said.

The build-to-rent development incorporates 394 residences made up of 56 studios, 128 one-bedroom apartments, 198 two-bedroom apartments and 12 three-bedroom apartments, as well as 131 car parks.

In looking to “enhance a legacy permit” by creating a “symbol in the sky” in a “high-profile position”, the development, designed by architect Warren and Mahoney, has sought to activate the streetscape with improved ground level amenities.

These include a new café, revitalised lobby, gym and a widened Blakeney Place adjacent to City Rd.

The developer said it was seeking to provide a “world-class build-to-rent development” that would represent “a benchmark in this asset class”.

Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece said despite a minor increase in building height from the previous proposal, the “edgy” developer would make a “distinguished contribution to Southbank’s skyline”.

“Having a range of alternative pathways into residential accommodation in Melbourne is a good thing,” Cr Reece said of the build-to-rent proposal.

Cr Rohan Leppert said the proposal represented an improvement on the previously endorsed scheme •