Another month, another approval

Another high-rise tower was approved last month and it may be the most ambitious design of any tower currently standing or in the pipeline in Southbank.

Clarke St apartment tower was designed by BKK Architects and has a distinct twist design, to help make the most of the thin slice of land it will be built on.

It is a visually stunning tower that is sure to add to the skyline of the city.

BKK Architects director, Simon Knott said the building would bring much to the Southbank community, beyond the new residents.

“The building operates on three levels. It’s Iconic. Iconic in the way it can be seen from many points in South Melbourne and along Southbank. Also in its location and appearance. It’s located next to a bend in the Westgate Freeway and the design means it looks like it’s animated as you drive around the bend,” Mr Knott said.

“The second point is that there is no podium parking, which brings more amenities to the ground floor, with plans for cafes and the like at street level.”

The final point was the apartments themselves, with Mr Knott saying: “The third level is the amenities to the occupants of the apartments. All bedrooms have natural light and great views and they are all generously proportioned.”

The Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, said the new proposal had taken into account the previous concerns for the project.

“Increased setbacks were requested to take into account the amenity of the neighbouring building, which was allowed to be built right up to its boundary,” Minister Guy said.

“The development will bring a unique design including strong activity at ground level, with shop and cafe space included in the design.”

Minister Guy also pointed out the positives of the tower during the construction stage.

“The $100 million investment will create an estimated 200 construction jobs,” he said.
While the State Government is positive about the new structure, the City of Melbourne appears to be against the tower. Planning committee chairman Ken Ong said his team hadn’t fully assessed the approval yet so it was inappropriate to comment, but the council had previously expressed its opposition the original tower planned for the site, which was 52 metres lower than the approved version.

To add to the displeasure, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle used his Herald Sun column last month to vent the council’s frustration with the decision.

“Recently City of Melbourne and Department of Planning had a disagreement about what is clever development: a proposed project in Clarke St, Southbank,” the Lord Mayor wrote.

“When first proposed, the City of Melbourne was an objector to the project: 186 metres in an area where we think 100 metres is an appropriate height limit. Upper floors projecting out over the street, the public realm, poor setbacks from the adjacent apartments and problems of wind impacts.”

“Revised plans asked the miniter to approve a 238 metre tower, more than twice our preferred limit ... So we are probably bound for VCAT as objectors and the result is always uncertain,” Cr Doyle said.