Add another to South Yarra's emerging 'Forrest'
As South Yarra's Forrest Hill Precinct churns out apartment towers seemingly at will, developers have of late continued to push the limits of their projects in the pursuit of increased returns. While a string of taller towers at either planning or approval have lined up along Chapel Street, 16-22 Claremont Street is the most recent proposal that would have a marked presence in the South Yarra skyline.
Proponents K&E Rogers Pty Ltd have sought to usurp a current planning permit set to expire during October 2016 with a recently submitted residential scheme. At 13 levels and 51 metres the permitted office design is well short of the asked for tower which would have 31 levels and measure 98.5 metres.
First seen on Skyscrapercity, early images of the proposal see a predominantly blue edifice with twin 20 level angular 'wings' jutting out from the oval-shaped tower. With a nominal value of $140 million, 16-22 Claremont Street which is believed to be a MGS Architects design encompasses 399 apartments and stands considerably taller than any surrounding buildings.
16-22 Claremont Street is a large rectangular plot located centrally within the Forrest Hill Precinct. Split between a low-rise commercial building and at-grade car park, the proposal is neighboured by existing residential buildings which include Lilli Apartments, Prime Tower, Ella, SXY2 and 50 Claremont Street, all of which range between 15-20 levels.
Not before time
Readers with knowledge of the area will recognise the dearth of anything remotely organic along Claremont Street.
The proposed 16-22 Claremont Street will do its part to address this by introducing a trellised feature to both Claremont Street and Daly Street. Finished with greenery, the articulate and inviting podium feature is in contrast to its surrounds while also providing an enhanced thoroughfare which acts as an extension of 'Yarra Lane' directly opposite.
The proposed 16-22 Claremont Street thoroughfare completes the activated mid-block link between South Yarra Station and Chapel Street, the only issue being the lack of an actual northern entry point at the station; a topic which has been pondered for some time.
Claremont on a high
Claremont Street itself is a hive of development activity as site after site finds new use as a high-rise residential development. Claremont Manor's jump form is above ground as Hickory Group undertake its construction while Buildcorp Commercial have all but completed Alto South Yarra directly opposite.
Further north along Claremont Street and Little Projects recently released The Elfin for public sales while 55 Claremont Street is due for a planning decision. The latest of Michael L Yates & Co's many South Yarra projects, 55 Claremont Street would include 39 dwellings over 16 levels and present as one of the area's smaller developments by apartment numbers.
Also at planning is 42-48 Claremont Street, South Yarra on behalf of Claremont Co Pty Ltd. With a nominal development value of $40 million, another substantial residential developments looks to be in the offing.
