Evolving Port

Port Melbourne and Fishermans Bend change. Houses are changed or demolished and new forms of housing take their place. Port Houses records some of these changes.

31 October 2017

89 - 103 Gladstone St, South Melbourne

Gravity Tower 

October 2017

The Gravity Tower on the corner of Montague St and Gladstone St in Montague is complete.
It was one of the earliest planning approvals in Fishermans Bend, dating back to 2013.

It emerges from every angle, showing a slightly different face depending on the time of day.

Designed by Plus Architecture, architects of the Armada development in Nott St, and developed by Blue Earth.

'Aluminium sun shields criss-cross the floor-to-ceiling glazing almost like herringbone fabric' Stephen Crafti writes. (Age, 28 October 2017)

The Gravity Tower contains 144 apartments over 29 levels.

viewed from Williamstown Road, October 2017
Proposed 2013
Construction start 2015
Complete 2017

start of construction 10 November 2015
June 2015

Marketing


June 2015
16 July 2013

The City of Port Phillip's views were sought notwithstanding that the Minister for Planning was the Responsible Authority for the application. (Reference MINRA0007/2013)

The Council report noted the following in relation to flooding:
  • The site is within a Special Building Overlay (i.e. land subject to inundation) under the Port Phillip Planning Scheme. Melbourne Water (the relevant flooplain management authority) is a Statutory Referral Authority for this application, pursuant to Clause 44.05-5 of the Planning Scheme. 
  • Melbourne Water has provided advice regarding recommended floor levels for the Fisherman’s Bend area which as follows:
  • The current 100 year flood level for the Fisherman’s Bend area is 1.6m AHD. Based on the climate change predictions in Clause 13.01 of the Planning Scheme, Melbourne Water has adopted a flood level of 1.8m AHD for 2040 (i.e. 200mm rise above the existing level) and 2.4m AHD for 2100 (i.e. 800mm above the existing level). 
  • Melbourne Water therefore recommends floor levels as follows: 
    • Commercial lobbies / Retail: 2.4m AHD. 
    • Garages/Car Parking Entry: 2.4m AHD plus 600mm mechanical freeboard (i.e. all mechanical plant and electrical fittings should be located 600mm above the flood level). 
    • Lifts/Services: 3.0m AHD. I

More

Plus Architecture Gravity Tower
Urban Melbourne Gravity Tower
Builder: Hamilton Marino
Geotechnical Engineering
144 apartments over 31 levels
.

The site






25 Ross St, Port Melbourne

2018 and 2019

Planning Application Number 949/2018 was lodged with the City of Port Phillip on 15 November 2018.

A permit was given for the demolition of the existing dwelling and construction of a new two-storey dwelling and rear garage in March 2019.

September 2017

The house at 25 Ross St was sold for $1,190,000 on 9 September 2017 by Frank Gordon. Advertised as a 'blank canvas', it nevertheless held out the (unlikely) possibility of renovation.

The locational advantages of the property were described as: 'a premium position, opposite the tennis courts, near the beach, walking distance to Port Melbourne Primary School whilst also placed in the Albert Park Secondary School zone.'

25 Ross St, September 2017

13 October 2017

130 Bay St, Port Melbourne

April 2019

130 Bay St, April 2019 

13 October 2017

Demolition of the grey facaded weatherboard cottage at 130 Bay St was underway today. Although a permit was first issued for its demolition in 2010, it appears that it is still the subject of a live planning application 838/2010/C by the Port Phillip Council.

130 Bay St, October 2017

In 2010, a permit was granted for the demolition and re-development of this property for a four level building. 

In 2014, a new application was submitted for a five storey building with basement carparking and dwellings on levels 1-4 and use of the ground floor as a shop. 

It was appealed to VCAT which approved the development on 6 November 2015.

130 Bay St, January 2011
21 February 2012

A few points drawn from the City of Port Phillip Statutory Planning Committee report of 21 February:
  • the site contains a single storey house that was previously consolidated from two single storey Victorian houses with a Spanish Mission style facade
  • the alterations to the building are considerable .. and have eroded its heritage integrity. 
  • it is considered that this section of Bay St is no longer consistent due to the loss of adjacent heritage buildings to the south.
  • given the lack of significance of this significantly modified building and the lack of heritage integrity and consistency ...  the heritage policy could be put aside to allow the building to be demolished.