Tower to show our boom wasn’t all gas

PLANS for a 28-storey tower on Knuckey St – on par with Darwin’s tallest buildings – have been lodged with the Development Consent Authority.

An artist’s impression of the proposed 28-storey building on Knuckey St, which would be just under the Darwin height limit.

PLANS for a 28-storey tower on Knuckey St – on par with Darwin’s tallest buildings – have been lodged with the Development Consent Authority.

Construction in the CBD has been frenzied in recent years, fuelled by high unit prices and strong investment returns.

But that building boom has threatened to stall as the Inpex project moves into its latter ­stages and demand for inner-city accommodation slows. With property prices and rents dipping across Darwin, plans for a major new residential project show a confidence the Top End’s economy will remain strong after the gas boom.

An artist’s impression of the proposed 28-storey building on Knuckey St, which would be just under the Darwin height limit.

The new plans, to redevelop the It’s Australian souvenir shop site at the corner of Shadforth Lane and Knuckey St, ­include a 161-space mechanical stacker carpark.

It would have 28 levels above the ground, with a rooftop, and three basement floors. Standing at 89.643m, the building would be just a shade under the 90m Darwin city height limit.

The building would be on par with the height of the Mantra Pandanus and Soho Apartments. Only the Evolution on Gardiner, which stands at 99m but was built on land at a lower elevation to the rest of the CBD, would technically be taller.

The new building on Knuckey St would include commercial space at ground level and 75 two-bedroom units.

A planning application, lodged with the DCA by proponents Morph Collective, said the proposed development was “of a scale and character that will enhance and improve the amenity of adjoining developments and will exceed the ­aesthetic standards evident in this precinct”.

“We believe the design of the building will create a unique environment to the city of Darwin and will be a welcoming presence for the city, its residents and visitors,’’ the application said.

“The design is a clear ­demonstration that small sites within the CBD can be developed in a way that is proper from the planning point of view and satisfies the intent of the planning regulations.”