Cbus enters West Melbourne with 9 Dryburgh Street

Industry superannuation fund Cbus has - via its property arm - submitted plans for a key West Melbourne site which it hopes will house a tower including 217 residential apartments. Directly opposite North Melbourne Station, the triangular site is now subject to a planning application before City of Melbourne seeking approval for a Hayball-designed 14 level residential building that will comfortably outdo all surrounding buildings in terms of height.

The island site located at 9-19 Dryburgh Street and 109-121 Ireland provides a unique opportunity to construct a place making apartment building with ground level retail shops that will assist in activating the area around the newly constructed North Melbourne train station.

Located in close proximity to North Melbourne and the CBD, the apartments in the development will appeal to young professionals and academics working or studying in the nearby health and university precincts.

Cbus Property: Dryburgh Street, West Melbourne

9 Dryburgh Street summary

• Current site use: dual level commercial building.
• Planning application lodged October 2014.
• 14 level tower @ 48.18 metres.
• 217 apartments: 88 one bedroom apartments and 129 two bedroom apartments.
• 3 ground floor commercial tenancies totaling 423sqm and a public forecourt.
• 114 basement car parking spaces, 4 motorcycle spaces, 57 resident bicycle spaces and 12 resident visitor spaces.
• Residential amenities and common areas: Level 6 and Level 13.

A question of height

Located between E-Gate/Docklands and the forthcoming Arden-Macaulay precinct, 9 Dryburgh Street's proponents have pressed for a tower of some height in order to define the immediate area.

According to the structure plan outlining expected heights for the area, a general height limit of 20 metres is desired, with the possibility of 30 metres or ten levels for sites deemed appropriate. The town planning report goes on to state that Amendment C190 which covers the Arden-Macaulay area does not cover the site in question during the first round of policy implementation, perhaps prompting Cbus to press ahead with a taller proposal.

The subject site has distinct opportunities that differ from the broader areas of North and West Melbourne given its location as an island site next to North Melbourne train station. To achieve a high intensity of development and necessary concentration of people to spark renewal the proposed building design and height is required.

The location of the development on top of the escarpment overlooking Docklands offers opportunities to capitalise on the views and create a dramatic skyline and definition to the North Melbourne Station precinct.

Urbis, town planning report

Design highlights

The planning application references the ground plane treatment which includes a high level of permeability, landscaping and amenity compared to what is currently onsite. This improved urban realm is further aided by three leasable tenancies fronting Dryburgh Street which will bring extra activity to the immediate area, rather than it currently acting as a transitional area for North Melbourne Station users.

Externally the proposal carries many a Hayball design feature, including aluminium clad, dark glazing, precast panels, perforated metal balustrades and bluestone.

Internally 9 Dryburgh Street will carry a range of dwelling sizes, all with either one or two bedrooms alluding to the type of buyer the projects will likely be pitched toward. One bedroom dwellings have floor areas ranging from 42.5sqm-53.5sqm while two bedroom dwellings have floor areas ranging from 59sqm-78sqm.

All habitable room windows have a direct light source while every apartment has been provided with a balcony.

Cbus moves further into the apartment sector

With commercial projects having dominated their portfolio in years gone by, 9 Dryburgh Street represents Cbus Property's fourth current foray into the Melbourne apartment market. 35 Spring Street leads the way with the 43 level tower of some 270 apartments preparing to rise from a considerable site excavation.

Purchased off Equiset with display at the ready, Assembly in North Melbourne is also preparing for construction after a strong sales campaign while the developers scheme at 447 Collins Street recently hit a stumbling block with Planning Minister Matthew Guy rejecting the tower in its current form. With in the vicinity of 400 apartments included, 447 Collins Street will undoubtedly return in some way, shape or form.

9 Dryburgh Street team

• Developer: Cbus Property
• Planning: Urbis
• Architect: Hayball
• Waste: Leigh Design
• ESD: ADP Consulting
• Landscape: Land Projects
• Traffic: GTA Consultants