Gravity Attracts Milestone At Fishermans Bend

The first residential tower has topped out in Melbourne's Fishermans Bend 465ha precinct in Australia's biggest urban regeneration project, 15 months after construction commenced.

The completion of the 29-storey Gravity tower - which includes one and two bedroom apartments - is a milestone for both Fishermans Bend and the Victorian Government for smart, sustainable development and high-density community living.

Planning rules require the 144-apartment Gravity to set its ground-floor retail and lobby about 1.5 metres off the current street level to protect against rising sea levels subject to flooding.

The requirements also mean Gravity's car park is equipped with a flood barrier – a 1.2m-high steel gate - designed to rise with flood water and act as a wall.

Plus Architecture said they have created a signature building with a "high quality design ethos".

“Fishermans Bend is new territory; we are only now starting to see the precinct materialise and it is exciting to be at the forefront of this movement,” said Director of Plus Architecture, Ian Briggs.

“As lovers of this city and advocates of positive, design-led development, we feel very fortunate to have been entrusted with Fishermans Bend’s first building.”

Gravity sits on the corner of Montague and Gladstone streets, with a design that uses the "changing light of day to project a dynamic visual presence."Plus Architecture worked collaboratively with State Government departments and agencies, as well as officers from City of Port Phillip and City of Melbourne for the tower.

Designed to "speak" to Fishermans Bend’s industrial history, Gravity includes a retail offering, grand lobby and exclusive rooftop, with a teppanyaki grill and bar, spa, outdoor cinema and designer lounge.