BPM awaiting a decision for their South Melbourne tower
Melbourne-based property developer BPM is awaiting a final planning decision for what would be their first high-rise project. Submitted during November 2013, 165-167 Gladstone Street South Melbourne - like many other projects proposed for the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area - was in a state of flux up until the State Government's recent announcement of the Fishermans Bend Strategic Framework Plan.
With an initial tranche of Fishermans Bend towers publicly approved last week, BPM would be expecting a final decision soon enough (as is the case with many other developers) in order to move forward with the residential project laced with an international design presence.
BPM has recently acquired a new site in South Melbourne. The new project will see boutique apartments with a design collaboration between BPM and designers from New York's Meatpacking District.
BPM
Project Summary
- Site of 702sqm currently used as warehouse / photo studio
- Proposed 18 level tower at 58 metres in height
- 90 apartments, all with terrace or balcony
- 56 * 2 bedroom apartments + 34 * 1 bedroom apartments
- 69sqm retail space fronting public realm
- 52 vehicle and 29 bicycle spaces
A style all its own
DKO Architecture have seemingly added a further degree of contrast to the Fishermans Bend precinct which has to date been inundated with curtain wall facades or the unique stylings of Artisan Architects clutch of project within the precinct. The planning application sources New York's 41 Bond Street and London's Bulgari Hotel as design inspiration
Included over the external facade is a grid pattern of textured precast panels which present in an almost retro manner. Possibly not every person's design preference but a welcome contrast nonetheless.
The proposed development employs a contemporary architectural style incorporating a range of materials and finishes to provide visually interesting and textured façades. The materials proposed include varying types of white finish pre-cast concrete with dark grey tender framing elements interspersed with metal through the perforated and slat screens, bronze anodised metal and bronze and grey tint glazing together with clear glazing
Contour Town Planners
Situated within a discretionary height limit area of Fishermans Bend, this is the first public viewing of 165-167 Gladstone Street South Melbourne, which at nearly a year in planning may have been subject to design alterations although not subject to height restrictions.
Regardless 165-167 Gladstone Street South Melbourne is the latest in a slew of projects from BPM. Others including the currently under construction duo of Collins and Queen on Essendon's burgeoning Keilor Road apartment strip plus Walter Carnegie, also a product of DKO Architecture.
Project team as at November 2013
- Architect: DKO Architecture
- Town Planners: Contour Consultants
- Traffic Engineers: Traffix Group
- Environmental Sustainability Consultant: Lucid Consulting Australia
- Environmental Consultants: Alpha Environmental
- Waste Management Engineers: Leigh Design
- Wind Consultants: MEL Consultants
