Second tower for $500m Wesley Place development gets go-ahead

A SECOND tower for the $500 million redevelopment of the historic Wesley Place site in Melbourne CBD has been given the green light.

A SECOND tower for the $500 million Wesley Place project in the CBD has been given the green light.

The 23-level office building at 150 Lonsdale St will also feature shops, eateries and new pedestrian links.

It will join a 33-storey office tower at 130 Lonsdale St that is under construction by developer Charter Hall and designed by Cox Architecture. Both towers will create about 800 construction jobs.

The historic Wesley Church and ancillary buildings will be retained as the huge site between Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale streets is transformed.

Office block to tower over historic Wesley Church

Treasures unearthed at Wesley Church site

Artist’s image of the office tower to be built at Wesley Place.

Archaeologist Jeremy Smith at the site of foundations of 1840s built houses unearthed during digging for new development at Wesley Church. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Uniting Church had been unable to maintain its buildings and the redevelopment will pay for the restoration and maintenance of remaining buildings.

It will also be given space in the main office tower, providing a permanent home for the church and Wesley Mission Victoria.

Last year, remains of a row of six bluestone cottages built in the 1860s were found during excavations for the tower.

Acting Planning Minister Lisa Neville said there was a need for high-quality commercial space in Melbourne.

“It’s a big boost to jobs, another chance to attract the world’s big businesses to Melbourne and a true vote of confidence in our thriving economy,” she said.

“We’re getting the planning right, encouraging the projects that benefit Victorians but protecting our city’s skyline and our treasured heritage too.”

It has been reported that super funds Cbus and Telstra Super will take up space in one of the towers.

[e-mail]

@JMasanauskas