Plans for dramatic overhaul to Piedimonte’s Supermarket in Fitzroy North

A vintage Fitzroy North supermarket is set for a dramatic seven-storey, 64-apartment makeover neighbours fear could change the face of the whole suburb.

An artist’s render of the Piedimonte's Supermarket development in Fitzroy North.

An iconic supermarket is set for a dramatic transformation some fear could alter the landscape of Fitzroy North.

Piedimonte’s Supermarket is in talks with Yarra Council over a seven-storey, 64 apartment complex on the Best St site.

An artist’s impression of the complex viewed from St George’s Rd.

The planned new building would extend the supermarket, remove up to seven shops from North Fitzroy Village, and include a new bottle shop, cafe and office.

Family-run Piedmonte’s Supermarket has been a fixture in Fitzroy North since 1958, when the business took over from a butcher’s shop.

Piedimonte’s expanded to a second store on Bell St, Pascoe Vale in 1991.

The new $45 million development would be inappropriate and set an unwanted precedent in Fitzroy North, neighbours said.

Elda Colagrande, who lives on nearby Egremont St, and said the development needed to be reduced to fit into her neighbourhood.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PLANS? TELL US BELOW

The suburb mostly comprises two-storey shops and homes, with the nearby Bargoonga Nganjin Fitzroy North Library and the Fitzroy Pinnacle the only larger landmarks.

Piedimonte’s as it stands currently. Picture: Ellen Smith

“It is possible to develop this, it just needs to be at a proper pace,” Ms Colagrande said.

“It’s a scale and nature that’s not consistent with this neighbourhood.”

Ms Colagrande and her neighbours joined forces to create the Fitzroy North Residents Action Group amid fears it could set a precedent for a dramatic overhaul of the suburb.

How the laneway appears now. Picture: Ellen Smith

A laneway off Scotchmer St behind the supermarket would be partially closed and sold to the developer in the plan.

The laneway sale would be undertaken separate to a permit decision for the development.

Yarra Mayor Danae Bosler said the council was yet to decide on the permit.

There is no date set for the council to make its decision, and it’s understood Piedmonte’s has been asked to resubmit plans.

MORE NEWS: FIRST LOOK AT NEW COBURG CITY OVAL GRANDSTAND

BRUNSWICK WEST SOCIAL HOUSING DESIGNS RELEASED

STEPPING INSIDE PENTRIDGE WITH THE MAN WHO KNEW “CHOPPER”

“In the past, Yarra Council has sold laneways and roads to private land owners following the formal discontinuance process,” she said.

“We are aware of the land owner’s desire to purchase the laneway at the rear of the supermarket, but we have not yet received any formal application for this.”

The family run supermarket was initially told to resubmit plans to the council after they didn’t pass through initial approvals.

Operations manager Joseph Piedimonte told the Leader that the redone plans would satisfy locals.

“(Piedimonte’s) is committed to ongoing engagement with local traders and the community while the application is being considered,” he said.