Argo calls in premium architect for South Melbourne offices

The Tope Street properties (shaded) are expected to make way for two offices.

High end developer Argo has swooped on neighbouring South Melbourne blocks with plans for two mid-rise offices.

The 1380 square metre Z-shaped site, 45-53 Tope Street, but with 36 metres frontage to Tichborne Place, is speculated to be costing over $12 million.

Fender Katsalidis will pen five level buildings, possibly designed to look like warehouse conversions.

The office quality, Argo managing director Nick Argyrou added, would be A-grade.

Gross Waddell ICR’s Andrew Greenway and Michael Gross marketed the Commercial 2 zoned holding as a whole or in two parts.

Argo boosts pipeline

Argo recently completed the uber-luxury Ovolo Hotel (pictured, top) at 234 Toorak Road, South Yarra (story continues below).

Argo and Hickory’s 570 Little Bourke Street proposal.

Its development pipeline includes a 23 level office at 570 Little Bourke St, to be delivered with Hickory (led by Mr Argyrou’s brother, George), and a Fitzroy hotel, at the north east corner of Victoria Parade and Napier St.

The South Melbourne property is a block from a major commercial investment, also Austereo’s headquarters, Centuria acquired from Deague Group last year for $205.1m.

Last week, a block between that asset, and Argo’s site, with frontage to Moray, Tope and York streets, hit the market as a development play.

Several major Build to Rent providers have also bought into the suburb recently including offshore groups Hines, which outlaid c$40m for a 3366 sqm plot and Greystar, that acquired a 5984 sqm holding for $65m in 2020.

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Marc Pallisco

A former property analyst and print journalist, Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au.