Plans submitted to almost double the number of apartments on iconic Jam Factory site

The City of Stonnington will consider almost doubling the number of apartments being built at the Chapel St site, pushing up the height of two buildings in the multibillion-dollar redevelopment.

An artist’s impression of the revamped plans for a major redevelopment of the jam factory precinct in Prahran.

Hundreds more high-end apartments could be included in the multibillion-dollar Jam Factory redevelopment under a proposal before the City of Stonnington.

The site, an iconic part of the Chapel St precinct, is set for a $3.75bn redevelopment by Melbourne developer Tim Gurner.

The new plans before the City of Stonnington relate to Stage 3 of the development and include increasing the overall numberof apartments on the site to 886, up from 448.

It also includes demolishing and rebuilding the cinema, redesigning the Town Square and increasing the height of two buildings.

Other proposed changes include creating more vibrant laneways, better preserving the heritage chimney and slightly reducingthe setbacks of two buildings.

One of the buildings would increase by about nine metres in height to a maximum level of 50.1 metres, while the other building is set to jump from 12 storeys to between 17 or 18 storeys, with a maximum height of 70.5 metres.

The proposal is due to be debated at Monday night’s Stonnington Council meeting. Any changes would require council approval.

New plans before the City of Stonnington relate to Stage 3 of the development and include increasing the overall number of apartments to 886, up from 448.

“There is a good range of dwelling sizes in Stage 3, including one, two and three-bedroom apartments ranging in area between 47 (and) 676 square metres,” a council report into the development proposal states.

“The mix of apartment types provides good dwelling diversity and will appeal to a range of occupants.”

The council report states that totally demolishing the existing cinema building – which was built in the 1990s – will allow a better facility and space for apartments above it.

“The improved cinema facilities will complement the role of the Chapel Street Activity Centre as a designated destination for entertainment,” the report said.

“The Village cinema complex will be capable of holding events such as movie premieres, as was the case in the existing cinema’s heyday.”

Stage 3 of the Jam Factory development adjoins both Chapel and Garden streets.

The revitalised Jam Factory development will deliver:

• Over 880 new apartments

• A six-star hotel

• A new Cinemas complex

• More than 9,000sqm of retail space and nearly 8,000sqm of offices

• A redesigned Town Square

• Safer, more vibrant pedestrian laneways

• Preservation of the heritage chimney

Originally published as Plans submitted to almost double the number of apartments on iconic Jam Factory site