Palace Theatre development: Marriott Le Meridian hotel sign approved despite objection
The Palace Theatre was demolished for a plush Le Meridien hotel but signs are not all is well for the Bourke St development.
Melbourne City
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It failed to save the much loved Palace Theatre from the wrecking ball and now Melbourne Council has lost another fight about a hotel being built on the site.
The council and Jinshan Investment Group Pty Ltd again faced off in court on Tuesday over an illuminated sign proposed for the front entrance of the 12-storey hotel.
The council has approved all other signage for the Marriott Le Meridien hotel but feared the illuminated branding would detract from night views of Parliament House in nearby Spring St.
Speaking for the council, Matthew Mukhtar said lighting up 10 letters of the hotel name was “visual clutter” that would impact the prominence of Parliament House at night.
Mr Mukhtar said the electric sign was not in keeping with the historic Bourke Hill precinct.
However, town planner Mick Meyer argued for the applicant that the sign was elegant and discreet, with only the letters in the brand lit up.
He referred to the council’s own planning scheme for Bourke Hill which allowed for illuminated signs.
Heritage expert Michelle Bashta appeared as an expert witness for the developer and said that there were several significant examples of electric signs in the precinct including the famed Pellegrini’s neon sign.
She argued that other less significant business within the precinct also had illuminated signs.
However, Mr Mukhtar said some existing signs did not have planning permits and could not be considered relevant.
VCAT senior member John Bennett found in favour of Jinshan Investment Group.
He said the “modest sign” would not adversely impact night views of Parliament House and it was not unreasonable to use illuminated signage for a 24 hr business such as a hotel.
In 2016 the tribunal also ruled in favour of the developer’s plan to replace the century old building with a 12 storey hotel comprising 143 hotel rooms, a basement carpark and a “signature” bar and restaurant.
A section of the former Metro Nightclub facade facing Bourke St is to be retained.
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