Prahran Square opening hailed as success among much debate

Everyone is hopeful the newly opened Prahran Square — with 10,000sq m of open public space — will become a success. But critics remain of the $65 million development, with a class action still likely.

Prahran Square was opened on December 1.

The much-vaunted Prahran Square opened on Sunday amid much fanfare and conjecture.

Costing an estimated $65 million, the final product on the former Cato St carpark site has been billed Melbourne’s largest urban parkland project with 10,000sq m of public open space — more than Federation Square.

The grassed area is already a hit.

While a 500-bay carpark is now underground, it is what is above which catches the eye.

Its features include lawns, terraced seating, an accessible forest walk, commercial spaces and children’s water play area, with more than 130 trees and original public art.

An impact study predicted the square would attract 112,500 visitors a year and increase retail spending by $32 million.

Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos said the square would provide much-needed public open space for Stonnington, which has the second-lowest amount per capita in Victoria.

Terraced seating features in Prahran Square.

It also created “accessible, welcoming areas for the community to enjoy”, he said.

“Prahran Square will be an iconic cultural and recreational destination for residents and visitors,” he said.

Chapel St Precinct Association general manager Chrissie Maus said Prahran Square would make a huge contribution to the local community and businesses — but it came at a cost.

“The developing period was just harrowing to witness,” she said.

“My heart broke.

“In a year it will be a great asset for our diverse community and absolutely deliver economic benefit.”

Heritage Victoria did an archaeological dig at the site in 2017. Picture: Valeriu Campan

She was hoping to organise “a huge concert” at the square next year, working with iHeart Radio and KIIS.

Cr Marcia Griffin regards the square as a “missed opportunity for more green open space” and expressed disappointment at the inability to change the design, while Stonnington Ratepayers president Dean Hurlston described it as “concrete, concrete and more concrete”.

“It does nothing to soften the character of the neighbourhood and looks more offensive than many larger commercial developments,” he said.

A class action against the council is also still in the offing as traders, landlords and developers sign up with Mitry Lawyers.

Chapel St traders, including Mayur Patel, were furious with the works, saying it cost them tens of thousands of dollars. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Lead plaintiff Jesse Hibbs, who owns Prahran Foot Clinic, said the opening of the square would not affect the momentum of the action.

“There is still an awful lot of businesses who lost an awful lot of money and it’s not just small businesses, but we have got large developers and also landlords,” he said.

“I’m confident the people who have genuinely been affected will not stop.”

MORE: CAN THIS SAVE FLAGGING CHAPEL ST SHOPPING STRIP?

THOUSANDS TO FLOCK TO STONNINGTON CAROLS

Mr Hibbs said he wanted Prahran Square to be a success — “as a business owner I want it to be an icon and for people to flock to it” — but that would not be known for months or even years.

Prahran Market traders will attend a meeting with Mitry Lawyers on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the introductory carpark fee of $1 for two hours has been extended until the end of February.