Seventh heaven: Melbourne sports seven 200 metre towers under construction
Melbourne is in the unprecedented position of now having a seventh tower spanning at least 200 metres at construction.
Far from its heydey of years gone by, the Carlton United Brewery site fronting Swanston and Bouverie has remained dormant since its closure during 1987. In that period a variety of proposals have filtered through for the prime site, but none were successful until developer Hengyi secured the development plot and revealed Swanston Central.
At 237 metres, Swanston Central is now in the hands of Multiplex, adding to the builder's already bulging current Melbourne construction portfolio.
As part of the development, the remaining bluestone brewery building which is now in a decrepit state will be restored to its past glory. Swanston Central will sidle up alongside.
Rich in history, the Carlton United Brewery site was subject to an archaeological dig during 2013 which unearthed 2,187 artefacts. With the ground underneath no longer baring any hidden relics, Delta Group over the last week have begun site remediation and excavation.
Eventually the Elenberg Fraser-designed Swanston Central will encapsulate approximately 1,000 dwellings, with a host of amenities to match. A level 69 Skyline Bar and Lounge leads the way, with a wellness centre, winter garden and ground level hawker market also planned for the project which accounts for another piece of the overall Carlton United Brewery site regeneration.
Of the now seven towers above 200 metres at construction, the majority are found at the northern end of Melbourne's CBD. Light House, EQ. Tower, Aurora Melbourne Central and Victoria One are jointly beginning to, or are impacting the skyline, while Swanston Central will visually fall under the umbrella of Melbourne's northern CBD despite it being in Carlton.
The two remaining towers under a builder's guidance are Collins House at 204 metres and Australia 108 on Southbank Boulevard at 319 metres. A notable mention should also go to Tower Melbourne; due to legal wrangling, it too would be well into construction.
Multiplex's snaring of Swanston Central bolsters its current construction workbook, which includes Australia 108, Light House, EQ. Tower and a range of projects across Melbourne.
