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.

16 June 2023

Montague Street, 91 - 95 Montague St

June 2023

Montague Street is a commercial tower designed by Plus Architecture alongside Gravity Tower.

Client: Thousand Degree 

13 June 2023

9 Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne

10 June 2023

Mr Hobson at 9 Waterfront Place is for sale by international expressions of interest closing on Wednesday 12 July at 12 pm.

Colliers Restructuring Property Services has been instructed by Receivers and Managers KPMG to offer  Mr Hobson for sale. 

12 June 2023

21 - 23 Lalor St, Port Melbourne

 June 2023

The property is once again for sale - this time by The Company. The auction date was 3 June but the property did not sell.

21-23 Lalor St, June 2023

May 2022

The former panel beaters, car painters and repairers, Holmes & Lovell, is for sale by Whitefox.

The vacated former auto repair shop at 21-23 Lalor St, May 2022

Sales history

The property was sold in 

  • March 2020 by private treaty for $2.5m
  • June 1986 by private treaty for $65k (source: Domain)

08 June 2023

Hartley St, Lorimer precinct

June 2023

Planning approval has recently been given for a 50 storey development with 400 apartments over a five level podium containing car parking, retail, recreation and commercial spaces. 

"The design aims to create a human-scaled podium using warm materials, integrated vertical landscaping, and a rhythmic expression that echoes the charm of the nearby wharf and piers." (MGS architects)

02 June 2023

47 Swallow St, Port Melbourne

June 2023

47 Swallow St, early morning 2 June 2023

January 2021

The house takes shape.

The architects are Thomas + Williams Architects @architects_tw

September 2020

The house at 47 Swallow St was demolished. It was built in 1997.

47 Swallow St, the site is cleared

47 Swallow St, demolition underway 



47 Swallow St, Port Melbourne 
Planning history

The City of Port Phillip issued final planning approval for the development of a three storey house in April 2020. (Ref 750/2018) 

Sales history

April 2018: $3,425,000

February 1995: $235,000

February 1987: $157,000

(source: realestate.com.au)

Land area: 494 m2


01 June 2023

Robur Tea House, 28 Clarendon St, Southbank

26 June 2024

Permit Application P39527

Heritage Victoria has approved a permit for construction of seven integrated towers and buildings ranging in height from 30 levels to 3 levels surrounding the Robur Tea Building on the north, south and west elevations, and part demolition, adaptation and conservation of the Robur Tea Building.

Unsympathetic additions will be removed and and the principal façades will be returned to their original design and historic presentation.

The applicant is required to prepare a heritage management plan and an interpretation plan. 

Heritage Victoria is of the opinion that the re-development will enable 'the Robur Tea Building to sit proud in the streetscape and retain some landmark qualities'.



30 May 2023

Heritage Victoria has refused the proposed redevelopment of the Robur Tea House for the following reasons:
  • The construction of seven interconnected towers and buildings ranging in height from 27 to 3 levels would have significant visual impacts on the place. The combined height, number and density of the tower components and their proximity to the Robur Tea Building would cause substantial harm to the cultural heritage significance of the place. 
  • The Robur Tea Building would be consumed by the proposed development and the ability to understand and appreciate the place as a freestanding landmark building would be lost. 
  • The proposed demolition works to the north, south and west elevations to allow for access between the Robur Tea Building and the proposed development would have adverse physical impacts on the cultural heritage significance of the place.
  • The proposal is based on highest and best use of the place and not the cultural heritage significance of the place. It is considered to be an overdevelopment of the heritage place. 
  • It has not been demonstrated that economic sustainability via a smaller development with less impact on the cultural heritage significance of the place is not achievable or that refusal would affect the reasonable and economic use of the registered place as commercial office space or any other reasonable use. 
  • The negative impacts of the proposal outweigh the benefits. The benefits could be achieved with a less intensive level of development.

August 2022

The City of Melbourne considered the planning application for this site at the meeting of 16 August 2022. (ref TP-2021-345)

The heritage aspects of the proposal will be considered by Heritage Victoria as the Tea House is on the Victorian Heritage Register. 

Concurrent with the endorsement of the plans, a Flood Risk Management Plan to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority and Melbourne Water must be submitted to and approved by the Responsible Authority and Melbourne Water. When approved, the Flood Risk Management Plan will be endorsed and will form part of this permit. audited on anniversary 


Architects: SnØhetta Architects


May 2020

The Tea House, 28 Clarendon St


CostaFox acquired the building for $28 million from R J International (Aus) Pty Ltd.

Heritage Victoria had refused a permit for its proposal to build a 24 storey hotel at the site adjoining the Tea House. (source: Southbank News, May 2020)

181 Liardet St, Port Melbourne

 May 2023

181 and 181a Liardet St was sold by Biggin & Scott on 13 May for $1,080,000.

181 Liardet St, Port Melbourne May 2023