New Stewart St, Richmond office complex approved near Molly Meldrum statue
A high-rise office complex will be built in Richmond despite objectors’ fears it would overshadow the park home to Molly Meldrum’s statue.
Melbourne City
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Richmond’s skyline is set for a shake-up after two developers won VCAT appeals to build multistorey office complexes.
Applicant Fabricworks Window Furnishings won its appeal at the tribunal on January 6 to knock down an ageing double-storey complex at 55-57 Stewart St for a seven-storey development.
Yarra Council refused original plans for a 10-storey office and retail complex at the site in December 2021, and also rejected a revised application with two storeys removed.
It led to an appeal and a four-day hearing at VCAT in early November, with senior member Bill Sibonis ruling in favour of Fabricworks with the condition of removing another level.
The council, nearby workers and other objectors notably raised concerns about the height and visual bulk of the new building, and feared it would overshadow the nearby triangular Stewart St Reserve.
The reserve, which is on VicTrack land at the end of the street, is a popular gathering spot which contains a statue of Molly Meldrum and is opposite music venue the Corner Hotel.
But Mr Sibonis was satisfied the complex would not have a significant impact on the reserve, saying at most, only 40 per cent of the reserve would be in shadow at 2pm daily.
“On balance, I consider that the extent of overshadowing of the reserve will not have an unacceptable impact on its amenity,” he said.
“This is an acceptable outcome when considering the ownership and characteristics of the reserve … it will continue to provide a pleasant open space area for use by the general public for passive recreation purposes.”
Meanwhile, the tribunal has also approved an 11-storey office complex to be built on a 1200sq m site at 525 Church St, the former home of the famous Dutton Garage luxury car showroom.
Developer Elite Property Group took Yarra Council to the tribunal after the council failed to reach a decision within the prescribed time frame.
The 11-storey complex will cover a smaller 700sq m block at nearby 1-7 Kingston St.
Tribunal member Michael Nelthorpe approved a permit despite the application only allowing for 67 carparking spaces on site, 273 less than required under statutory requirements.
.” Reducing the number of carparking spaces for this office building is appropriate given that the site has access to excellent public transport and is easily accessible by bicycle,” Mr Nelthorpe said.
Instead, 122 bicycle spaces for workers will be provided at the site, and Mr Nelthorpe said he was “satisfied that the public transport and cycling networks facilitate these modes of transport in this location.”
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