Director Paul Cox’s former Albert Park house could be razed, hundreds object to the plan

A HISTORIC Albert Park home that once belonged to director Paul Cox could face the wrecking ball and make way for apartments, with hundreds of residents appealing against the proposed “monstrosity”.

MORE than 435 objections have been lodged against plans to tear down a late filmmaker’s former Albert Park home, with the director’s daughter among those appealing for the 138-year-old house to be preserved.

It comes after plans were lodged with Port Phillip Council to raze the 138-year-old structure on Victoria Ave and build a four-storey “monstrosity” on the prime corner block.

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Iconic Dutch-born director Paul Cox was widely regarded as the father of Australian arthouse cinema, and best known for his films Man of Flowers, A Woman’s Tale and Innocence.

Daughter Kyra told the Leader she had been “heartbroken” to sell the property last year.

The former home of Paul Cox at 1 Victoria Avenue.

An artist’s impression of the proposed development.

“It is full of memories of my father and our life together,” she said.

“It became a creative hub … (and) we often referred to the building as the ‘Cox Hotel’ as the doors were always open and dad welcomed anyone that needed a place to stay or a meal and a glass of wine.”

Ms Cox said the plans showed a “building with no heart.”

Amber Moore, who has lived in Albert Park for 47 years, said tearing down the landmark would “destroy our beautiful little village”.

“It’s not the most beautiful building in Albert Park but it certainly is part of the charm — it’s quirky and it has been there forever,” she said.

“These beautiful buildings shouldn’t be destroyed for these big, shiny monstrosities.”

Director Paul Cox in his Albert Park studio in 2000.

Ms Moore said she feared the plans, which included seven apartments, a 100-seat restaurant, two shops and a basement carpark, would pave the way for similar developments in the future.

Other concerns raised included lack of car spaces for the 100-seat restaurant, tree removal and increased traffic in Victoria Lane.

The site was bought by the Saade Group for a reported $5.57 million in 2017, following Cox’s death in 2016.

Port Phillip Mayor Bernadene Voss said it was the council’s policy not to allow demolition of significant graded buildings unless they were structurally unsound.

The council with make a decision on the proposal at a date yet to be determined.

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