Ex-Eve nightclub earmarked for skyscraper
The Catalfamo family has teamed with Gurner to replace a prominent, low-rise Southbank hostel – once home to Eve nightclub – with a major apartment building.
The proposed 42 level tower earmarked for the Urban Central site at 334-344 City Road would contain 400 apartments, a health and wellness precinct with a double storey gym, communal dining space, cinema and activated rooftop.
Its end value has been put at $250 million.
The City of Melbourne will review the plan.
If approved, demolition of the hostel would take place this year.
The scheme would replace a concept permitted in 2016 for a 38 floor mixed-use building with 110 serviced apartments and 180 traditional flats.
Urban Central site
The 1652 square metre Urban Central site is owned by Calgem – with Tasman Meats founder Joe Catalfamo a co-director – which paid $4.5m in 1999.
Six years ago, the parcel was the subject of a 57 level skyscraper then-Lord Mayor Robert Doyle described as “terrible”.
In 2014 the owner earmarked the block for an 81 storey complex with 600 dwellings (story continues below).
The existing building rises five floors and is prominent from the West Gate Freeway, which it abuts.
Busy year for Gurner
Twelve months ago Gurner received ministerial approval to replace the ex-City Mazda dealership at nearby 2-28 Montague St and 80 Munro with a $1 billion plus multi-tower village, containing 724 apartments, including hotel suites.
In June the developer unveiled plans for a mixed-use project with a Club Maison hotel, and dwellings, in Prahran.
Another hotel bearing this brand is proposed at St Kilda’s ex-Cushion Lounge site.
In March Gurner acquired an interest in South Yarra’s Jam Factory.
“We are increasingly building a portfolio of larger mixed-use projects where we can incorporate our wellness and concierge services as a longer-term play, and this project perfectly fits that model,” founder Tim Gurner said.
“Southbank is going through a renaissance of sorts with an increasing number of restaurants, bars and entertainment precincts while offering proximity to the best parts of Melbourne’s CBD,” he added of the City Rd proposal.
