Multi-level Bunnings proposed for Brunswick’s Chamton site
EXCLUSIVE
A multi-level Bunnings is proposed to replace the high profile Chamton factories in Melbourne’s inner north Brunswick.
The double storey outlet earmarked for 145 Glenlyon Road would spread about 8459 square metres – a similar area to a standard suburban warehouse – and sit over a two floor, 250-bay basement car park.
A sliver of the site, 6 Pitt Street, is designed to be an exit for a timber trade yard.
The recently submitted planning application for the privately held property suggests the store could be known as Bunnings Brunswick East – sitting on land which borders that suburb.
The hardware group’s existing Brunswick outlet, a smaller former Spotlight at 415 Sydney Rd, was recently listed for sale targeting developers, asking $13.6 million.
The proposed Bunnings Brunswick ‘East’
Set to rise 15.4 metres – about the same height as a five level apartment building – the proposed Bunnings store will be branded on each side.
It is designed with a 4460 sqm shopping warehouse, an 1855 sqm trade supply area, 781 sqm upstairs nursery, 1113 sqm bagged goods zone, 235 sqm mezzanine office and 25 sqm café.
If approved, a Glenlyon Rd crossover would be widened to 7.5m to allow access to both a timber sales yard at the back, and basement car park.
Another driveway, on the Pitt St parcel, would be broadened to six metres.
Semi-trailers as long as 19m will be able to enter and maneuvre around the site, even though it is expected most trucks will be about 12.5m rigid ones.
Bunnings intends to trade extended hours – 6am-10pm – Monday to Friday, with deliveries between 7am-6pm and until 1pm on Saturdays (story continues below).
It anticipates the proposed Brunswick East outlet will be a similar enterprise to its Fairfield store, about four kilometres away and also in an established retail area.
At that warehouse, almost 400 car movements are made in the weekend lunchtime peak (midday-1pm Saturday).
Brunswick site journey
The 5480 sqm Industrial 1 zoned Chamton holding is currently a collection of low rise warehouses and offices.
They replaced other industrial properties which for years until 1974 were listed on the Sands & McDougall directory as accommodating a leather merchant.
A 1904 Metropolitan Board of Works map of the area shows the site as a clay pit with a shirt factory in a corner.
Chamton has been based at 145 Glenlyon Rd since 1985 but, given it also has a Campbellfield factory, only employs about 30 people there now.
Thirty staff is under-utilising the address: applicant
According to the redevelopment application, the site is under-utilised insofar as the existing use is at odds with council’s vision for it to be a major employment hub within an activity centre.
The property is next door to a former dry cleaner turned four storey apartment building and Shell service station which has traded at the north west corner of Lygon St since 1962.
Elsewhere in the pocket, a six level residential complex with ground floor retail recently replaced a row of low-rise commercial structures including the Microhelp Technology House office at 186 Lygon St, Brunswick East.
A twelve storey mixed-use building comprising a hotel, again with ground level shops, was developed at 302 Lygon St.
