Developer plans for heritage building put on hold by Port Phillip City council

Developer The Saade Group, who bought a 500 sqm key Albert Park site for $5.67 million planning a knock down and rebuild have found themselves blocked.

They planned to build seven apartments, a 100-seat restaurant, two shops and a basement car park in place of the Albert Park building (picture from application below).

The City of Port Phillip says a new report found the heritage overlay of the 1 Victoria Avenue building is structurally sound and ruled it cannot be demolished.

Council received more than 500 objections after it was revealed that the 1880s building, which was remodeled in the 1920s and 1930s, faced demolition.

It was previously owned by filmmaker Paul Cox.

Saade issued eviction notices to all its tenants despite the council having announced it will refuse an application to knock it down.

The move has led to fears that the owners might leave it empty to deteriorate to the point where demolition is the only option, Fairfax Media suggested.

The developer now has 60 days to lodge an appeal at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against the council’s decision.