Melbourne’s eyesore buildings ‘letting down’ the city

It might not be Chernobyl or Detroit, but Melbourne has its own “eyesores” which are letting the city down. These are the derelict CBD buildings the council wants torn down or cleaned up.

Sir Charles Hotham Hotel in Spencer St is now a rundown backpacker hostel. Picture: David Crosling

A CBD shop site dating to the 1840s and a Collins St office tower are among several eyesores identified by the City of Melbourne in need of renewal.

Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood said some prime city sites “are letting us down and negatively impacting our city streetscape”.

“We want to see eyesore properties around the CBD cleaned up, refurbished, activated and, if necessary, redeveloped,” he said.

The historic Job Warehouse building at 54-62 Bourke St has been in a shabby state for years, but refurbishment work has finally started, with a top-notch restaurant expected to open there.

Job Warehouse at 52-62 Bourke St could be transformed into a restaurant. Picture: David Crosling

The Job Warehouse has been in a poor state for years. Picture: David Crosling

The privately-owned building was built as a butchery and residence in the late 1840s, but in more recent times has housed a textile shop and currently a book store.

Cr Wood said: “It’s great to see the site being cleaned up, and I’m excited to see how the transformation unfolds.”

Also on the council’s radar is the former Cancer Council building in Rathdowne St, Carlton, which has been vacant for ages.

Cr Wood said there was no application for refurbishment or development of the site, but council had taken action to secure the building.

The Cancer Council Building at 1 Rathdowne St is a derelict eyesore. Picture: David Crosling

“It’s really not acceptable for buildings to be left unsecured, potentially posing a risk to public health and safety,” he said.

“Development sites that are left vacant can cause problems with squatting, vandalism, and graffiti and are a blight on the city.”

An old ugly office tower site at 555 Collins St has finally got a demolition permit, with the site set to be temporarily activated with cafes and bars until the long-term use of the site is given the green light by state authorities.

The Duke of Kent is on the council’s hit list. Picture: David Crosling

555 Collins Street has a demolition permit. Picture: Google

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Other eyesore sites highlighted by the council include the former Duke of Kent pub at 293 La Trobe St, and the former Sir Charles Hotham hotel in Spencer St now used as a backpacker hostel.

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Education entrepreneur Shesh Gale, who has revitalised other city sites, bought the Spencer St property.

Cr Wood said the council was working hard to make Melbourne an even better place to live, work and visit.

“Our Budget this year will see us deliver our biggest investment ever in community services and capital works, including new parks and gardens, better cycling lanes and footpaths,” he said.

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@JMasanauskas