Capitol Grand: Private helipad for South Yarra luxury apartment building angers neighbours

A HELIPAD that would allow just six rich South Yarra residents to use private choppers could sit atop the tallest building outside the CBD — but neighbours aren’t happy.

A HELIPAD that would allow just six rich South Yarra residents to use private choppers could sit atop the tallest building outside the CBD.

But despite a flood of objections from nearby locals, the developer behind the idea said it would allow wealthy VIPs to fly to country holiday homes or beat the traffic with a 10-minute round trip to Melbourne airport.

MELBOURNE’S $40 MILLION HOME

A South Yarra development includes a private helipad for its penthouse dwellers.

An artist’s impression of a media room at the Capitol Grand.

The residents’ meeting room features views over the city.

“It adds a level of mystique and exclusive living I truly ­believe South Yarra needs,” LK Group chief executive Larry Kestelman said.

The Dodo founder and National Basketball League owner said only residents of the six penthouses — worth more than $25 million apiece — and himself would get the roof keys.

“It has some of the most prestigious apartments Melbourne will ever see, so we wanted to give the penthouses that extra level of convenience and luxury,” he said.

Work on the $500 million Capitol Grand development, at the corner of Toorak Rd and Chapel St in South Yarra has already begun.

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The $500 million development also includes a gym.

An impression of a lounge inside the high-rise.

Worried neighbours have flooded council with 43 objections, mainly about noise.

Ingrid Weinberg said a helipad would “inconvenience many residents for the sake of a privileged few”.

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“Surely those who require the use of a helicopter at 10pm could take a taxi,” she said.

Dr Archer Broughton ­objected on safety grounds, ­arguing high winds would make landing dangerous.

“It seems unreasonable to approve this facility with its noise pollution and safety ­issues so a few millionaires can get to Flemington or Albert Park Lake in flamboyant style,” he said.

LK Group chief Larry Kestelman said the development would add “mystique” to South Yarra. Picture: Stuart McEvoy for the Australian.

The site of the South Yarra apartment building. Picture: Sarah Matray

And David Walsh said: “While a helipad in an open space will be loud regardless, the helicopters flying overhead of the existing apartment buildings will cause significant noise impact.”

But Mr Kestelman said noise testing and flight path surveys showed minimal disturbance to residents: “It’s much quieter than an ambulance going down Chapel St.

“We would not be applying for (a permit) if the tests failed. It complies with every noise regulation and there’s already helicopters flying around South Yarra.”

Stonnington council, which will consider the application this month, was approached for comment.

Trucking magnate Lindsay Fox lands his helicopter at Melbourne High School’s sporting oval in South Yarra to commute between his Toorak mansion and other property in Portsea.

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