The city of Melbourne will continue its trend of architectural upgrading with the development of what will become the city’s second-tallest skyscraper building.
Approved by Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy, the $275 million tower will cover 71 storeys and reach 276 metres high. The skyscraper will include 592 apartments, making it one of the the tallest residential buildings in the state.
The project, designed by Bates Smart, will be located in one of Melbourne’s most iconic modern architecture districts – Southbank – and will join equally spectacular neighbours the Eureka Tower and the Rialto Tower.
The skyscraper has been approved for the location of the former Queensbridge Hotel, where it aims to shine from its central location.
“The tower will be a stunning addition to Melbourne’s skyline, with an innovative design to reflect its location at a key gateway linking Southbank and the CBD,” says Guy. “Southbank is a natural extension of the Melbourne CBD and is an area that is constantly evolving, with architecturally inspiring development forging ahead.”
In terms of the building’s aesthetic, the three towers will take on cylindrical forms, with facades of silver and platinum glass. While standing out in the midst of Melbourne architectural royalty – including the internationally acclaimed Crown Casino complex – may seem a tall task, early renderings of the development show that that the new building will do just that.
However, while the Planning Minister has shown his support for the evolution of the Melbourne architectural aesthetic, there are those in government and the industry showing their concern regarding Melbourne’s evolution into a ‘skyscraper city.’
“The difficulty is not the architecture of the building, it is what is the culture you are creating at street level,” says Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.
With a building that is set to become an icon, there will always be controversy. However, there can be no arguing that the developers are catering to a need for inner city residential space and that this latest project will only add to the urban planning trend of vertical lifestyles – whether those in the industry are ready for it or not.
