Melbourne University told to change plans for new $143 million business school
Melbourne University wants to demolish buildings on the CBD fringe — including some with heritage value — to build a new Business School billed as “a leap into the future’’, but the plans have come to a grinding halt.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melbourne University has been told to go back to the drawing board on plans to build a new $143 million business school at its Carlton campus.
The university wants to demolish buildings on the CBD fringe — including some with heritage value — to build a new 61m high Melbourne Business School billed as “a leap into the future’’.
But Planning Minister Richard Wynne has raised concerns about overshadowing the building would have on the neighbourhood before deciding if it is approved.
The 13 storey building at 150-170 Pelham Street, Carlton would include student accommodation, a gym, shops, gallery spaces and outdoor terraces.
Mr Wynne told the Herald Sun plans for the proposed development to be built near parkland spaces University Square and Lincoln Square needed tweaking.
“I will be requesting Melbourne University to amend its plans to address significant overshadowing of Lincoln Square,’’ he said.
“I look forward to an application that addresses this issue and other concerns in the council report.’’
The City of Melbourne has voiced concerns about the development throwing too much shade in a “city north’’ precinct it has earmarked for future growth.
A recent report to council found the development was 50pc taller than the preferred building height and recommended the application be refused by the Minister in its current form.
“The increased height and bulk will impose unreasonable shadow impacts on surrounding footpaths and public parks,’’ it said.
The council found the height and mass of the new building would “visually dominate and overwhelm’’ the heritage area and its “monolithic scale” would “adversely affect” the “broader Carlton area”.
“The overshadowing will prejudice the amenity of the area,’’ it said.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said it was an “iconic and significant project’’ that would boost Melbourne’s status as a global learning city and “add value in our economy’’.
But the council unanimously voted against the proposal at a recent meeting, backing expansion of Melbourne Business School facilities but ruling the proposed building “too large for the site’’.
“The scale, form and appearance of the development will adversely affect the amenity, character and heritage significance of the site and surrounds,’’ it said.
Melbourne Business School dean Ian Harper said the proposal “charts the future’’
“At a time when our educational institutions are under great strain, we want this project to highlight the future of graduate business education in our great city,’’ he said.
The plan proposes a seven to eight-storey podium and a five-storey tower but does not include laundry, cooking or dining facilities for 78 proposed student housing lodgings.
RELATED:
FED SQUARE ARCHITECTS TO ’UNLOCK’ MELBOURNE LANEWAYS
BRIGHTON RESIDENTS OUTRAGED BY DEVELOPMENT