272 - 280 Normanby Rd, South Melbourne

April 2025

Crema's mark on the building, April 2025

The Canopy, viewed from Normanby Rd x Boundary St, April 2025

31 July 2023

Crema Constructions has been appointed as the builder of the project to be known as The Canopy. 

December 2022

The Canopy by Gamuda Land December 2022 

The section of Johnson St that will be closed to create a park

The plan for the site includes closing a section of Johnson St to become a park.

Gamuda is planning a "Miyawaki' micro forest approach to the landscaping of this project, an approach the company had successfully applied to other projects.

Gamuda is working with the Murri:Yul urban design advisory firm to develop plans for the landscaping. (source: The Age 4 December 2022)

The development comprises 213 dwellings, including 12 affordable housing units. 

October 2022

HIP V. HYPE's Better Buildings team will be advising Gamuda Land on this $180-million mixed use apartment project.

This advice will build upon six sustainability principles for the Fishermans Bend precinct: low carbon, water sensitive, climate adept, connected and liveable, low waste and biodiverse. (source: HIP V HYPE)

29 September 2022

The Port Phillip Council supported plans for a 20 level development with 4 and 6 levels podiums at their meeting on 29 September. 

The plans superseded the 17 March 2021 Ministerial approval of Planning Scheme Amendment C177port for a 24 level building.

The development proposal includes the construction of a linear park on Johnson St between Normanby Rd and Munro St in accordance with the Fishermans Bend Framework. 

The applicant is Gamuda Land. The development is to be known as The Canopy

“We believe it’s no longer acceptable to merely adopt green building design, but essential to ensure every building or public space is making a positive green contribution to the place and its people. For us to do this, we have to work with nature and not against it,” said Ngan Chee Meng, Chief Executive Officer, Gamuda Land. (source: Business Today, 30 September 2022)

Canopy is designed by Hayball Architects, Oculus and Hip V. Hype.

July 2022

Malaysian property developer, Gamuda Land, bought the 2,600 sqm property late last year for $24 million, where it intends to deliver 200 apartments over 20 levels. The project will see over 6,000 native plants and trees planted and public green space included in the project.

Three years ago, Spec Property – the development arm of Samma Property Group – submitted plans for the site that included 307 apartments, 8% of which would be affordable housing. (source: Australian Property Journal 14 July 2022)

April 2021

Following a thorough examination of the issues by the Fishermans Bend Standing Advisory Committee, the Minister for Planning approved planning amendment C177 to the Port Phillip Planning Scheme which was gazetted on 31 March 2021.

The most significant element of the amendment is reducing the height of the building from a proposed 40 storeys to 24 storeys. 

The incorporated document runs to 21 pages of detailed conditions. A few of them are highlighted below:

• The tower setbacks increased to a minimum of 10 metres from Johnson Street and Munro Street
• At least 20% of dwellings to contain three or more bedrooms, with a plan to transition to 25% of all dwellings containing three of more bedrooms. 
• At least 25% of all car parking spaces on all levels to have access to an EV charging point.
• Provide for the delivery of at least 6% of the total number of dwellings, for affordable housing before the development is occupied.

The SAC's report and the incorporated document can be accessed from the Fishermans Bend Standing Advisory Committee webpage.

January 2021

The building is being used as a worksite for R. Iconic opposite at 253 - 257 Normanby Rd. A homeless person finds shelter in a doorway. The landscape is unkempt. 

Planning for this site has still to be resolved. 

the site from the corner of Normanby & Johnson St, 2021

In October 2018, the site was sold for $12.7m (source: Domain)

4 October 2017

The City of Port Phillip considered the application on 4 October 2017.

• The proposal is for a 40 level mixed use tower including a five level podium.
• A 4.5m wide pedestrian through block lane/link is proposed along the north-east side of the site,  The link would be covered at first floor level for weather protection and wind mitigation.
• The development proposed five affordable dwellings.

The Council resolved to advise the Minister that it did not support the application, but should the Minister approve it, a suite of suggested conditions have been prepared.

source: City of Port Phillip report of 4 October 2017  Planning application reference nos: DELWP ref: 16/00106, Council ref: MINRA 0004/2016/A


27 June 2016

the site from the corner of Normanby & Johnson St, 2016

8 May 2015

from the corner of Normanby & Johnson St, 2015

In February 2015, the site was sold for $14m by private treaty. (source: Domain)

The site

The site was formerly part of Dunlops extensive operation as shown in the Mahlstedt plan below.

The irregular shaped lot is 2,609 square metres in area. 

226 Bay St, Port Melbourne

March 2025

The property is for sale by expressions of interest which closed on Wednesday 19 March.  Fitzroys are managing the sale. 

March 2020

Many people gathered on 4 May to follow the sale of this significant property on the corner of Bay & Liardet Sts. The property was sold for $3,705,000.

Gathering for the auction of 226 Bay St, Port Melbourne

Historical note:

On 21 November 1885, a contract was let for 2,200 pounds for the erection of offices and other buildings for the Second Port Melbourne Building Society. The successful tenderer for the work was Mr Dubbledan, a local contractor. 

Read more about the Dubbledan family in this very interesting article from the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society.

F.T. Derham, MLA, was the President of the Second Port Melbourne Building Society at their Annual General Meeting on 13 November 1888.

1 - 7 Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne

A brief chronology of 1 – 7 Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne 1988 Bayside Project Act passed. The Minister for Planning becomes the Responsible Authority for the Bayside site 1989 EPA issues site clean up notice. Remediation works 1992 Bayside Open Planning Forum (August) 1993 Government calls for expressions of interest to develop the site 1994 Mirvac named as preferred developer. Draws up precinct plans 1995 Construction begins - including 1 - 7 Waterfront Place including gym and childcare centre 2009   2012  City of Port Phillip prepares draft Urban Design Guidelines for the site in anticipation of an application Action Group sought a permit for three buildings up to 19 storeys tall. The application was refused. 2014 Fire broke out on the site in the early hours of 14 September and buildings extensively damaged 2017 A planning application for a single 10 storey tower made, and refused by City of Port Phillip. Appealed to VCAT. 2018 On 30 July 2018, the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, calls in the application, the same day that the application was scheduled to be heard at VCAT.  2019 In October, the applicant appeals the Minister's call in to the Supreme Court which rules in favour of the Minister 2019 Minister appoints an Advisory Committee to consider a revised application. The applicant withdraws from the process 2020 August - a new application is made to the City of Port Phillip 2021 Approved by the Port Phillip Council on 24 June (with conditions) 2021 Developer appeals City of Port Phillip decision to VCAT 2022 VCAT hearing set down for 23 - 25 March VCAT approves the development and sets aside the conditions that were in dispute (VCAT Reference No P11346/2021, Permit Application No 490/2020 November 2024 Casa Properties confirms purchase of the site March 2025  Casa Properties have prepared modified plans with apartment numbers down  reduced from 119 to 84 for presentation to  VCAT at a compulsory conference on 30 April.