New 13-storey hotel proposed for 1907 rag trade building on Flinders St in Melbourne CBD

THE facade of a 110-year-old building that once housed one of Melbourne’s early 20th century rag trade businesses will be retained as part of a 13-storey development.

The building is rated as a C graded building under the council’s conservation ratings. Picture: Supplied

THE facade of a 110-year-old building that once housed one of Melbourne’s early 20th century rag trade businesses will be retained as part of a 13-storey development.

A 193-room residential hotel will be constructed on the Flinders St site which the three-storey former Lincoln Stuart & Co building has occupied since 1907.

Lincoln Stuart & Co produced and sold suits, hats and military clothing from the late 1880s.

Council officers are recommending to councillors that they approve the plans submitted by developers Moremas Land, with some conditions.

The building, opposite Flinders St station, is rated as a C graded building under the council’s conservation ratings.

According to the scheme, C buildings “demonstrate the historical or social development of the local area and/or make an important aesthetic or scientific contribution”.

The 844 sqm site at 244-248 Flinders St is next to Unilodge and runs through to Flinders Lane.

It was most recently occupied by disability services provider Yooralla.

The plans are for the hotel with restaurant, gym, function room 25 bike spaces and no car parking.

A total of 71 objections were received to the initial plans prompting some amendments including retaining the century-old frontage.

“The application originally proposed demolition of the existing building, but was formally amended to retain the original fabric of the front facade and construct a 13-storey addition setback 6m behind the front facade,’’ a council report said.

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