Forza applies to extend riverside Abbotsford car park with 11 level office
Forza Capital has applied to build an 11 level office atop an existing four storey car park in Melbourne’s inner north east Abbotsford.
The proposal includes 17,038 square metres of lettable area and would rise 59 metres, or 63m to the top of plant screening.
The upper three floors would be inset to allow for terraces. The WMK Architecture design also contains a rooftop garden.
A “brick skin” façade – in keeping with the area’s industrial past – would cover the concrete parking bay.
For the foreseeable future, office occupants would enjoy north facing views of the Yarra River – 38 Grosvenor Street is separated to it by one property, an open-air car park.
They would however enjoy permanent east aspect of the waterway, over Flockhart Reserve, which it also abuts.
Forza acquired the 3880 sqm holding for $12 million last year from Carlton & United Breweries, which owns and occupies – but has in recent years been progressively selling down – substantial real estate in the area.
Abutting Collingwood and Richmond, Abbotsford has undergone a development wave recently including 10 level residential towers about 150m away from 38 Grosvenor St (story continues below).
In April, Fred IT committed to 2421 sqm of the Craftworks development earmarked for 20-30 Mollison St.
A month later, the Alter family launched a leasing campaign for the renovated ex-Country Road headquarters at 70 Trenerry Crescent – an enormous 1.5 acre office with an internal terrace, abutting the river.
Next door to that (#62), a nine floor commercial building is proposed.
A workplace about this height has been earmarked for another ex-CUB car park site, near the south east corner of Church and Nelson streets.
Zagame Corporation recently renovated the former Australian Education Union Victorian headquarters and United Petroleum founder Eddie Hirsh last year started marketing an uber-green workplace on Hoddle St.
Another commercial building is expected longer term to replace the airspace occupied by the neon Skipping Girl sign, also known as Little Audrey, at 651 Victoria St, which was offered for sale in February.
Two years ago, Herzog Group and Lascorp sold the car park north of 38 Grosvenor Street, and the warehouse-converted-office with long-term leases, across the road (both outlined), for $37.3 million.
