Council not impressed with 216m city tower

MELBOURNE city council is unhappy with plans for a 216m apartment tower in Southbank that would “dominate” the landscape.

MELBOURNE city council is unhappy with plans for a 216m apartment tower in Southbank that would “dominate” the landscape.

Eastern International Property Group is seeking State Government approval for a 65-storey building — 22 levels more than on the original application. Located at the Hanover House site on the City Rd/Power St corner, the $90 million development would have 662 units, offices and a supermarket.

Eastern International Property Group is seeking approval for this 65-storey building. Picture: Supplied

The developer’s application to amend the permit was made before the government introduced tougher height controls.

Nearby towers include the 72-level Prima Tower on Queensbridge St, the 43-storey Southbank Grand Apartments at 151 City Rd and the 37-level Southbank One building at 174 City Rd.

In a report to be considered by council on Tuesday, council management said the key issue was the significant increase in height above the discretionary limit, and matters such as reduced setbacks.

“(It) dominates the urban form, would not maintain the dominant streetscape and ... would create an unacceptable private external amenity impact ... ” the report said.

“The proposal represents an overdevelopment of the site.”

Designed by architects Elenberg Fraser, the tower would have a podium height of 10 levels “with active internal uses wrapping around the external facade including office, serviced apartments and dwellings”.

Council management recommended that the City of Melbourne inform the state Planning Department it didn’t support the permit application.