Approval for Sturt St

Developer Crown Group has launched its new arts-themed two-tower residential project at 175 Sturt St.

Having won approval from the City of Melbourne in January, the project will encompass two towers of 14- and 16-storeys set across a corner site of 2070sqm, hosting 152 luxurious studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

It’s the Sydney developer’s first Melbourne project and is being conducted as a joint venture with long-time Melbourne developer G3 Projects.

Designed by world-renowned Koichi Takada Architects, the design seeks to celebrate Melbourne’s thriving arts precinct, with one of its key features being a community space on the lower level providing exhibition and installations spaces for artists.

Crown Group chairman and CEO Iwan Sunito said the project was part of the company’s vision to grow a $3 billion development pipeline in Melbourne.

“This is part of our think big, start small strategy,” he said. “Our bigger plan is to grow our pipeline in Melbourne, but we wanted to start with a single project first to test the market.”

“Our vision is not just to build another apartment building, but to deliver a place to live that has a story.”

“Melburnians are very passionate about arts and culture. It is one of the most cultural cities in the world, so we thought, why not create something that tells that story.”

“Construction will start in 2021, which gives us the confidence to be able to deliver the project at the best time in the market cycle and allows investors to capitalise on potential uplift.”

As a celebration of the arts, architect Koichi Takada said the two striking curved towers would be encircled by sinuous white “ribbons”.

“The ribbons will form a beautiful pattern that will gleam white, reflecting the light, creating an ever-changing canvas and a beacon to people in the surrounding area,” he said.

The project marks the first development on the Sturt St spine of the area zoned as Arts Precinct in Southbank, following the introduction of the state government’s planning scheme amendment C330 in March last year.

Under current planning controls, developments on Sturt St have to include arts and cultural uses as part of the first four floors in an effort to ensure that all development complies with the government’s Arts Precinct Blueprint vision.

The situations surrounding neighbouring developments at 135 and 153 Sturt St remain largely unknown, with local architect Hayball selling its approved permit for an 18-storey tower last year.

Former Sturt St architect Rothelowman also put its permit for an 18-storey development at 153 Sturt St on the market last year. The owner of 151 Sturt St, currently home to an IGA supermarket, put its site up for sale in October last year.