Claremont St South Yarra: Stonnington Council ticks off 19-storey office tower

A huge office tower is coming to this plum empty block in South Yarra but parking at the site is set to be a squeeze. This is why.

This empty site at 55 Claremont St, South Yarra has been approved for a 19-storey office tower. Picture: Google Street View

South Yarra’s office high-rise boom is set to continue with a 19-storey tower planned near Melbourne High School given the green light.

Stonnington councillors unanimously approved the proposed tower at 55 Claremont St, despite more than 100 required car spots being omitted from the plans.

Applicant Claremont 55 Pty Ltd set aside only 18 car spaces on two levels of its planned development, located above food and drink outlets on the ground level.

Under the council’s planning scheme, 133 parking spaces were required across the 4460sq m project.

The proposal received 17 objections from residents who were concerned about the lack of parking, demand for spaces and feared “additional traffic will exacerbate existing issues of congestion, safety and maintenance”.

But officers didn’t seem bothered about the tower’s parking provisions, as the tower would be built in Stonnington’s Forest Hill precinct which has low parking numbers and “excellent access to public transport and an already heavily utilised traffic network”.

Cr Matthew Koce offered his support as he feared not approving the project would lead to a successful VCAT appeal.

“Although it is higher than the recommended height of the area … we know we often go above that height in the Forest Hill precinct, and VCAT has set the precedent for the area,” he said.

“I’ve got no doubt if we don’t approve this, it will go to VCAT and be approved.

“It is an elegant design response that works well for the area and adds to the daytime economy, and I’m supportive even though it’s a large building.”

The site was originally mooted for a luxury apartment complex until it was scrapped when the site was sold off by developer Michael Yates in 2018.

The tower’s approval comes after a similar office development, costing $35m and reaching 18 storeys, was approved next door at 49-51 Claremont St in December.