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 March 2018

155 Dow St, Port Melbourne

March 2020

Biding its time. A quick make over including new landscaping.

29 March 2020
17 November 2018

The house was once again offered for auction by Hocking Stuart. It sold for $2,900,000.

March 2018

The house at 155 Dow St was passed in at auction. Its attributes are the large site and rear access.

It last changed hands in 1977. It was previously occupied by a Greek family.

In the garden is a peach tree and some canna lilies but the garden has been neglected for some time.

According to FN, a former owner had a furniture workshop in his garage.


155 Dow St, March 2018


According to realestate.com.au the site was last sold in 1977 for $46,500. 

30 March 2018

New life at 143 Farrell St, Port Melbourne

October 2017


The former life of 143 Farrell St is briefly described here.

15 -35 Thistlethwaite St, South Melbourne

June 2021

Construction is almost complete. Finishing touches are being applied to the building. Some people appear to have moved in.

The rear and side walls have been cheerfully painted but the cheer has been insufficient to deter early tagging. (not shown here).

rear wall of 15 - 35 Thistlethwaite St, South Melbourne

February 2019

Construction has begun on this project. A fence surrounds the development site. The builder is Ironside


February 2019 - builder appointed


March 2018

The site of Rothelowman's project South. The project draws inspiration from South Melbourne's industrial past 'by using natural materials reminiscent of the local streetscape in the design'.



Marketing highlights convenience - the site's neighbourhood walkability index of 92 and proximity to South Melbourne Market, schools and Port Melbourne.

The City of Port Phillip renewed the permit on 28 March 2018 since it had expired. The rationale for the permit extension is given in the planning report.

May 2016

The site is sold by Colliers.


December 2015

A permit was issued on 14 December 2015 (277/2015) for an 8 level building of 69 apartments.

22 June 2013


June 2013

The site is occupied by MVB Motor Vehicle Brokers, used car dealer.

12 March 2018

25 Barak Road, Port Melbourne


3 March 2018

The house was sold for $1,955,000 on 3 March 2018.

In March 2000, it sold for $327,000. (source: realestate.com.au)

Here is Marshall White's video.


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August 2017

The re-built 'brick by brick' house at 25 Barak Road was passed in at auction for $1.9 million. The property impressed 'with its lavish detail' according to real estate agent Marshall White.


25 Barak Rd in 2013


History of the illegal demolition of 25 Barak Road

In the early morning of June 29th, 2008 the house at 25 Barak Road, Port Melbourne was illegally demolished. In a highly planned operation, heavy equipment was brought to the site early. A chain saw cut through the roof, and then the front wall was knocked in. Neighbours remonstrated with the wreckers. No demolition or planning permits had been obtained. The house is covered by a Heritage Overlay in recognition of the Fishermans Bend estate being the first constructed by the newly formed Housing Commission of Victoria. 


25 Barak Rd in 2012



July 2008
Port Phillip Council took the matter to court. For some time until the case was heard, the site was fenced off. The owner was prosecuted. The magistrate, Phillip Goldberg, said 'he could not impose the maximum fines of $150,000 because of sentencing discounts for his guilty pleas and lack of prior convictions "however enticing it might be". The court Hodo Zeqaj was convicted and fined $45,000 with $7500 costs.' (The Age, 13 May 2009)

The decision required that original material be retained on site to be incorporated into the reconstruction of the front facade of the house.

A planning permit for the house was finally issued by VCAT in August 2009. The permit was to

'Retrospectively approve the partial demolition of an existing dwelling and the construction of a new ground and first floor alterations and additions including repairing and restoring the original front facade and roof of the dwelling on the site'.


Prior to the redevelopment, the modest foundations of the original house were revealed, as well as a fine lemon tree near the back fence.

Back to the foundations
The redevelopment is now complete.

What do you make of this tale of 25 Barak Road?


164 Ingles St, Sandridge Precinct, Fishermans Bend

November 2017


rear of townhouses at 164 Ingles St,  November 2017
April 2017


Canny project on Boundary St, Port Melbourne, April 2017

September 2016


under construction - a late afternoon inwinter 2016

crossovers on Woodruff St - September 2016

Ingles and Munro St corner approaches completion December 2016

20 November 2015

Canny Projects has begun construction on the $80m Stamoulis Property Group development in Port Melbourne.

The project, which will consist of 287 ... townhouses on the old soap manufacturer, Symex, site, is scheduled for completion in late 2017.

Canny was awarded the contract for the design and construction of triple storey three bedroom luxury townhouses, built in and around heritage-listed buildings on Woodruff and Ingles Streets, opposite the Port Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The first stage will consist of 13 townhouses on the corner of Ingles Street and Munro Street which is scheduled to be completed early 2016.

Source:


10 December 2013

In September 2013, a draft vision for the  Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area was released by then Planning Minister, Matthew Guy.

Shortly thereafter, the City of Port Phillip was asked by the Minister to provide advice on the application.

the plan for 164 Ingles Street

The Council considered the application on 10 December 2013. Here are a few references from the Council report:

  • (4.1) the application seeks ... to redevelop the site for dwellings in accordance with a masterplan ... as it would allow for in principle approval, with detailed designs to be submitted for approval prior to the commencement of each development stage.
  • (4.4) A new vehicular and pedestrian access known as the 'Boulevard' would link Boundary and Ingles Streets
  • (4.4) a north south road known as Woodruff Drive would run from Woodruff Street and link to the centre of the Boulevard ... with a width of 8m (building to building)
  • (9.7) the granting of a planning permit for a master plan, conditional on the later submission of detailed plans for each development stage ... is recognised as a legitimate means of allowing the development in principle of a large site, while providing the flexibility to respond to market conditions in the future given that the development could potentially take a number of years. 
  • (13.2) Recommendation, second dot point: A section 173 agreement requiring the owner to inform every prospective purchaser or tenant of a dwelling that industry and the City of Port Phillip Resource Recovery Centre are located proximate to the site 
The extent to which the Council's recommendations were accepted is unclear since the planning process then disappeared from public view.

The City of Port Phillip advised the Minister that it broadly supported the application for 164 Ingles Street  'to redevelop the site for approximately 250, three and four storey dwellings in accordance with a master plan'.

More
City of Port Phillip report 10 December 2013 164 Ingles St, Port Melbourne