Moull Murray unveil a striking new 258 City Road
Touched upon by Urban.com.au last week, Southbank is set to receive a new skyscraper in the form of a refashioned City Road mixed-use building. Moull Murray Architects are the design practice behind the project, teaming with Altus Development once more after the rapidly expanding Clayton-based developer secured the 1,265sqm site.
Appearing initially on Urban.com.au during 2013, the scheme for the then 256-260 City Road was the work of Hayball for proponent Apex Vic Pty Ltd. Under the initially approved scheme 431 apartments were included within a $120 million project, with 104 car spaces and 215 bicycle spaces in tow.
Design statement
Urban.com.au spoke with Moull Murray Architects Director, Andrew Murray, regarding 258 City Road with the following project description offered:
The new architectural treatment, designed by Moull Murray Architects, reinforces the tall, slender nature of the approved development envelope with an emphasis on vertical forms.
The proportions of the tower have been treated in the classic skyscraper proportions of a base, middle tower, and expressed top. The podium utilises a grid framework to set up visually scaleable proportions that relate to the streetscape, in addition to the pattern overlaid over the tower.
The podium is also veneered with apartments on both frontages to reinforce a sense of human interaction with the public realm.
The building is a mix of serviced apartments up to level 18, with private apartments above, served with independent foyer and lifts.
Andrew Murray, Moull Murray Architects
Still at 193 metres to parapet, the tower has been given a sharper exterior relative to its predecessor, with a higher degree of articulation introduced over the facade. Solid elements to the western facade have been introduced, with a planning application for a similarly sized tower under assessment for the immediate western site.
Spanning 62 levels, the initial 18 levels will be dedicated to 130 one and two bedroom serviced apartments operated by Pan Pacific Hotels Group, the second such venture between developer and hotel operator. Thereafter 323 private apartments will round out the tower consisting of one and two bedroom options, with penthouse dwellings configured as three bedrooms absorbing the highest 12 levels.
258 City Road's mixed-use nature also allows for a multitude of facilities within the building. Ground floor will see all day dining with meeting rooms above, while the podium top pool deck with hold a gym, cinema, health spa and outdoor BBQ entertainment area and terrace bar.
The project is expected to be released during the first quarter of 2016.
258 City Road consultant team
- Architects: Moull Murray Architects
- Developer: Altus Development Pty Ltd
- Project Managers: Gallagher Jeffs
- Structural Engineers: WSP Structural
- Civil Engineers: WSP Structural
- Building services: MacCormack
- ESD: Sustainable Development Consultants
- Traffic Engineers: Traffix
- Building Surveyors: BSGM
- Hospitality Consultant: LeisureCorp Enterprises
Double delight
In further news Moull Murray's initial design for Altus Development will proceed to construction after a lengthy pause in proceedings. Dubbed Altus Tower and located within Docklands, the 37 level building will see 266 PARKROYAL-designated hotel suites and 331 residential apartments included.
After a ground breaking ceremony held during October 2014, the site has seen little action since. A start on works is now expected in the new year with a build time of roughly 24 months for the project, meaning the opening of PARKROYAL Melbourne will be at least one year behind the initially anticipated completion date.
In addition to Altus Tower, Probuild will also undertake works on 258 City Road according to the developer's website.
