Plans approved for former Goldfingers site
It has been home to a landmark Melbourne strip club and a historic CBD pub. Now this formerly seedy site is set for a major rebirth.
Victoria
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A $100 million major development at Melbourne’s “intersection of sleaze’’ has been approved by the City of Melbourne.
Plans for an 80m high office and retail building towering above the historic Kilkenny Inn and the site of former strip club Goldfingers have been given the green light by the council.
The 20 level tower is set be built on the corner of Lonsdale and King streets, with parts of the Kilkenny Inn, built in 1915, to be demolished.
The landmark building which housed Goldfingers until it closed last year and Paramount House — built in 1929 and an important part of Melbourne’s film history — are also expected to make way for the development.
A new urban laneway would be created, linking Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale streets, as well as about 1000 jobs.
Deputy Mayor Nick Reece said the plans for 572-574 Lonsdale St, 256-260 King St, 248-250 King St and Gough Alley would transform a “very important corner of our city”.
“For many years, I’d say, it was known as an intersection of sleaze in Melbourne but the last couple of years we’ve seen some really exciting applications coming forward,’’ he said.
“And I think over the next couple of years, probably led by this landmark development dare I say, we are going to see a real transformation of this intersection and this whole precinct in this part of the city.
“And that is a great thing for Melbourne.’’
The plans would retain the front portion of the Kilkenny Inn, with the office building above and retail outlets on ground and first levels.
The original parlour, bar and room facing King St would also be retained and key facade features restored.
Both street facades, the external side walls to a depth of seven metres and part of the historic pub roof would be kept but the remainder of the building demolished.
But while the council approved the new tower, it sent plans for another major redevelopment of land at 1 and 3 Southgate Ave and 16-60 City Rd, Southbank, for further review.
That masterplan proposed new shops, food and beverage tenancies, a 26 level office building, pedestrian links to the arts precinct and 2000sq m of new public open space.
Councillors referred the plans to the Victorian Design Review Panel, given the “very high level of significance of the proposal and change to the planning scheme”.
Mr Reece said: “This is such as postcard location and if we don’t get this right as a city the consequences for Melbourne, I think, are very, very significant.’’
Mr Wynne, who has final say on both projects, declined to comment.
The council also approved a three year lease for a floating two storey restaurant on the Yarra River at Southbank, north of 4 Riverside Quay.
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