Sturt St tower moves ahead

By Edward McLeish

Renowned Sydney developer Crown Group is preparing to launch apartment sales for its first Melbourne development in Southbank mid-next year.

The developer’s new arts-themed residential project on the corner of Miles and Sturt streets received planning approval from the City of Melbourne in January.

Following in Crown Group’s ground-breaking tradition, the twin tower arts-inspired apartment towers, designed by world-renowned Koichi Takada Architects, seeks to add to Southbank’s Art Precinct.

The new design, which is a joint venture between Sydney’s Crown Group and Melbourne’s G3 Projects, aims to complement the state government’s $200 million art precinct transformation.

Crown Group and G3’s Melbourne development director Bobby Iskandar Lim said the team had chosen the site for its appeal to the growing number of international buyers seeking out Melbourne, as well as local owner-occupiers who were attracted to the vibrant cultural precinct.

“It is unusual in that the area has a leafy, medium-rise aspect, yet is so close to the city, so it appeals to families as well as young professionals,” he said.

“It is a lively city fringe suburb but still with a relaxed suburban feel given the excellent schools and the Kings Domain just a few minutes’ walk away.”

The development will encompass two towers of 16 and 14 storeys, set across a corner site of 2070 sqm.

The two towers will host 152 studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and rooftop gardens.

Mr Lim said the great thing about the site was both its proximity to the city and the fact it would never be built out.

“Neighbouring Dodds St has a lovely leafy low-rise aspect to it; it is a pedestrian zone and links through to the Malthouse Theatre, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) and the Conservatorium of Music,” he said.

The design seeks to celebrate Southbank’s thriving arts scene and one of its key features is a community arts space in the lower level, which will provide a space to host exhibitions and installations, as well as a cultural meeting point.

Residents will have access to Crown Group’s signature resort-style facilities, which include a rooftop lounge and garden, a theatre, children’s play area, gym and pool.

There will also be a ground-floor café and parking for 140 cars and 40 bicycles in a four-level podium.

The development is first of a string of new buildings on Sturt St to progress to sales, with architect Hayball selling its approved 19-storey tower at 135 Sturt St last year to a new developer.

Neighbouring architect Rothelowman also put its approved permit for a 19-storey tower at 153 Sturt St on the market last year, while the site in between at 151 Sturt St was also put up for sale last year.