The Northern Heights: CBD North model updated
It has been some time since the last update of the northern quadrant of our CBD model, better known as CBD North. With a host of new proposals and approvals adding to the precinct, it seems an opportune time to revisit the area as it stands prior to the effects of amendment C262 becoming clear.
Select each image for a larger view.
At time of writing, the highlighted area as modeled carries 18 towers ranging in height from 57 to 267 metres at various lifecycle stages. The area has been limited to an island bound by La Trobe Street, Swanston Street, Victoria Street and William Street.
Significant towers outside of this include Eporo, La Trobe Tower and Swanston Central, while the fate of 293-303 La Trobe Street remains unclear.
Some noteworthy facts and figures around the development happening within CBD North:
- Currently there are six towers under construction with Empire at 398 Elizabeth Street the 'smallest' of these at 62-storeys and 198 metres.
- The tallest is Aurora Melbourne Central at 88-storeys and 267 metres with the current car park on site being demolished.
- Vision at 500 Elizabeth Street is currently the most advanced in terms of its construction, with the tower likely to top out before Christmas. It will be the first 200 metre tower completed in the north of the CBD since the 211 metre Melbourne Central Tower in 1991.
- Eq Tower has recently cleared its podium with work beginning on the tower proper and its bottle-like form.
- Seven towers are approved with either sales and registration or construction phases imminent.
- 212-222 La Trobe Street has approval in place, but has a planning amendment under consideration with a change of use to student accommodation and facade articulation.
- Five towers are currently at planning with the dual tower Queens Place development already being marketed overseas, after gaining support from the City of Melbourne.
- 111-125 A'Beckett Street is the most recent of these applications to appear on Urban.com.au, and stands at 210 metres.
- Two yet to be covered (but due to appear on Urban.com.au in coming weeks) are 478-488 Elizabeth Street and 189 A'Beckett Street at 210 and 203 metres respectively. Both projects were lodged in June before planning scheme amendment C262 was implemented.
- Of the 18 towers, ten are over 200 metres in height with all bar over 100 metres.
- There are three developments of dual towers: 212-222 La Trobe Street for Scape, Queens Place and 386-412 William Street.
- Remarkably, nine of the towers were designed by Elenberg Fraser and includes Lighthouse, Victoria One and 478 Elizabeth Street.
- Of the remainder, two were designed by Cox / Fender Katsalidis, one by Hayball, three by DCM for Scape, one by McGauran Giannini Soon, one by Buchan and one by Peddle Thorp.
An article next week will look at high-rise development scenarios for the Munro site and the future development site at the Queen Victoria Market, essentially completing the work in progress below. Media reports suggest the building opposite Queen Victoria Market will accommodate a residential tower of approximately 200 metres in height.
