New plans for CBD twin tower project set to push it ‘a step forward’

New plans have been submitted for twin towers on the Yarra River — with Melbourne’s Deputy Lord Mayor saying it “will reshape the skyline”.

Design renders of the proposed Spencer St project in Docklands.

New plans have been submitted for twin towers on the prominent site of the former Melbourne Convention Centre near the Yarra.

The state government is considering a fresh town planning submission for development of the site at 7-23 Spencer St to include high-rise offices, shops and apartments.

The $220m plans also propose making the precinct more pedestrian-friendly, with a new arcade, cafes and restaurants to lure visitors to a prime precinct between the river and city centre.

An artist’s impression of the new Docklands project.

The Herald Sun last year ­revealed an 11-storey “Tower One” above a nine-storey podium and a 28-storey “Tower Two” with 472 apartments had a green light from the government and City of Melbourne.

But amended plans propose changing the layout and look.

Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece said he was “incredibly excited” to see the redevelopment of the site “take another step forward”.

“This is one of the largest projects in the pipeline for our city and will reshape the skyline along the Yarra River,” he said.

“Construction projects like this have a key role to play in helping Melbourne bounce back from the pandemic.”

Mirvac Group paid $200m in 2020 for the former Melbourne Convention Centre site.

Last year it received planning approval for a 45,000sq m office building and 472-apartment build-to-rent tower.

But a revised masterplan submitted to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning seeks changes to the internal layout and floor levels and minor facade revisions. It does not want to change ­approved building heights.

Under-used Siddeley St would “become a prime ­location in Melbourne due to its unique location that binds the CBD with North Bank and Docklands precincts”, the new pitch to government said.

Under-used Siddeley St would ‘become a prime ­location in Melbourne’, the new project pitch says.

“Through the use of street planting, active retail frontages to the street and traffic-calming mechanisms, Siddeley St will be developed,” it said.

The east side of the site will boast prime views of the river over Batman Park and the north side looks to the southwest edge of the CBD.

“The ground plan experience has been reconsidered with a focus on site permeability, activation and through connections from the middle of the site to Spencer St and Flinders St,” the pitch said.

“A main north-south arcade provides significantly more public realm area … than the previous, inward-focused plaza. This arcade will be publicly accessible 24/7.”