Council snares $18m apartment site for park
EXCLUSIVE
Merri-bek City Council has quietly snapped up a prominent inner north Melbourne site until recently earmarked for a major apartment building and 17 townhouses.
The local government is paying $17.7 million for the Pascoe Vale South tract covering 498-514 Bell Street and 33 Westgarth – all up, 6634 square metres.
Also with frontage to Wills and York streets, a public garden is planned for a 2500 sqm piece – part of council’s A Park Close to Home initiative.
This component is expected to face Westgarth, between Wills and York streets.
Council is then anticipated to develop or sell-down the balance which, zoned Commercial 1, could make way for offices, residential, retail or an essential services product like childcare.
The property is near the ex-Shirlene School of Ballet – an amalgamation of four retail properties, 9A-9D Anderson St – and a neighbouring house, 80 Westgate, which retired octogenarian dancer Shirley Jones sold in late 2020 following a campaign targeting apartment developers.
Elsewhere in the immediate area, a four storey complex with 31 flats is earmarked to replace 432-438 Bell St, a 1137 sqm parcel which once accommodated the Living Flowers florist.
West of these blocks, meanwhile, 11 townhouses are approved for a 1382 sqm holding, 632 Bell St.
Pascoe Vale South is eight kilometres from town (story continues below).
Next chapter for derelict site
Merri-bek’s Pascoe Vale South holding failed to sell when it was last publicly offered in 2018.
At the time it was permit-ready for a five level building with 131 apartments, 17 townhouses, a supermarket spreading 1876 sqm, medical centre (1157 sqm), retail (289 sqm) and 225 car parks.
That proposal was an amendment to another residential-based scheme approved by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2012.
Until 15 years ago, the westernmost part of the holding, facing Wills St, accommodated a Caltex service station.
A Merri-bek spokeswoman said the A Park Close to Home initiative aims to deliver more municipal gardens.
“Since 2018, council has invested more than $54m [from developer contributions] and created around 17,500 square metres of new open space,” she added.
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