Artist's impression of the proposed development at 54-56 Clarke Street, Southbank. Photo: Supplied

Controversial Melbourne skinny skyscraper site to be sold at auction

Staff Writers|Apr 16, 2019

A development site with controversial plans for one of Melbourne’s skinniest skyscrapers will go under the hammer at the end of the month.

Savills has been appointed to sell 54-56 Clarke Street, Southbank, located within 100 metres of Melbourne’s Crown Casino and with approval for a 250-metre-tall, 74-level residential tower.

The unique 288-unit tower plan, designed by BKK Architects and given final approval in December 2013 following a challenge in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, is set to attract interest from a number of developers according to Savills state director, CBD & metropolitan sales, Clinton Baxter and director Nick Peden, who are marketing the property together.

The design proposal for 54-56 Clarke Street from BKK Architects. Image: Supplied

“Developers can attend the auction with tremendous confidence knowing that they can bid for and buy a site poised for Melbourne’s next iconic project, one that, at 74 levels, will rise above all nearby towers and offer future occupants spectacular views in all directions,’’ Mr Baxter said.

Mr Peden said: “This is an outstanding design that maximises the efficiency of the site and provides developers with a project on the doorstep of the CBD that will essentially market itself.”

The current site. Photo: Supplied The current Southbank site. Photo: Supplied

The development, which goes by the project name Elysium, attracted public attention in 2013 owing to its slender appearance – with a reported width of 12 metres at its most narrow.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle slammed the initial approval of Elysium by then planning minister Mathew Guy, saying he was concerned about the height of the building.

“We are not against height, but the problem with this (Clarke Street) is this goes right off the scale. Both directions are not good for Melbourne, this scattering of very very big buildings and sprawl at the edges and the real key to smart development lies between the two,” Mr Doyle said at the time.

“Yes we want to stop that sprawl at the edges of the city, but the corollary of that doesn’t have to be 230-metre buildings in Southbank.”