MAB Corporation's Lot C edging closer to reality
Earmarked from the outset as a stand-out design, MAB Corporation's 429-437 Docklands Drive is poised to receive planning approval from City of Melbourne. Surfacing during 2013 as a crescent-shaped hotel, MAB Corporation has elected to proceed with a purely residential tower on a sizeable development plot which was formerly part of Waterfront City.
The McBride Charles Ryan-designed residential tower is set to be joined by an expansive public park as was first mooted during MAB Corporation's purchase of the land some years ago. While discussions between Places Victoria, City of Melbourne and the development team predated the November 2014 planning application submission, a recommendation of approval included within a report will be assessed by the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee who sit this evening.
429-437 Docklands Drive, Docklands application summary
- Lot C Newquay Promenade: 8,549sqm site
- 17 level residential building at 68.8 metres in height
- 118 apartments: 1/2/3/4 bedroom options
- Provision for 63 car parking and 42 bicycle spaces
- Additional car spaces and bicycle bays also located within adjoining 'Promenade' development
- Urban park atop basement car parking
- GFA: 15,187sqm
- Rooftop amenities
- Cafe spaces at ground level
The development will hold a mixture of living options, seemingly with a slant toward the higher-end purchaser. 26 one bedroom apartments are included, as are 68 two bedroom and 19 three bedroom apartments. Somewhat unusually three four bedroom apartments are designed into the higher levels of the building while two four bedroom apartments will occupy the highest habitable floor; each approximately holding 335sqm of internal area.
Building C is envisaged as an iconic building within a prominent location of New Quay Central. The built form of the proposed building has been the subject of much discussion and the current form is considered to be one of high design integrity that will make a positive contribution to the precinct.
The building is proposed to be in an egg shaped form which is different to the rectangular form shown in the development plan. This form has resulted in a reduction in width and an increase in the overall height to maintain a gross floor area consistent with that anticipated in the DP. Although the height has increased the slender, narrower footprint allows for wider view cones in and around the proposed tower, including to Victoria Harbour.
Report to the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee
Above the ground level colonnade, 429-437 Docklands Drive's exterior will be draped in a 'lattice work' finish consisting of white aluminium panels arranged to provide an elliptical pattern over the tower. The remainder of the exterior will consist primarily of black aluminium finishes coupled with grey tinted glass.
Central Park
Encompassing a greater area than just the tower's footprint, 429-437 Docklands Drive will see an elongated basement/services level under what will become yet another park for Docklands. Dubbed 'Central Park' and covering approximately 2,000sqm, the majority of the park will be accounted for by open lawn.
In addition to expected art installations, the park will include rain gardens, native plant species plus feature garden beds. Subject to further design, 'Central Park' would be delivered in conjunction with the tower component.
The Urban Park has been designed in a manner that will provide an inviting, highly adaptable area of public open space that will be able to be utilised for community events while also providing smaller spaces that can accommodate community events such as markets and art exhibitions. The park will achieve the objective of providing a focal point for New Quay Central that is pedestrian in scale.
Report to the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee
With construction commenced on the adjoining Promenade and Aqui residential towers, 429-437 Docklands Drive and 387-395 Docklands Drive shape as MAB Corporation's next residential releases within their NewQuay precinct. To date eight residential towers have been completed by MAB Corporation since construction of NewQuay's initial buildings began in the early 2000s.
