Former Wool Stores’ $20m Office Extension

Former wool stores built in 1934 will be partially demolished and adapted to accommodate a $20-million, 13-storey office building in West Melbourne.

The City of Melbourne Council has granted a permit for the development application for 363 King Street to demolish the back of the heritage building, retaining the front facade of the Craig, Reynolds and Garrett Architects-planned building.

The permit will be subject to the state government signing off on the development due to its significance.

The 1113sq m block was sold in 2018 to an undisclosed Asian investor.

The development applicant and architect is Gray Puksand, while the landowner is listed as George Kokkinos’ GHK No 2 Pty Ltd.

The development application included retaining the facade of the building as a building podium, with the office building set back 7m from the facade.

It would also include curtain wall glazing and prominent horizontal banding to provide distinction between the old and the new.

The building would include 14 car parks and a gross floor area of 7791sq m, with a net leasable area of 5520 square metres.

The property is opposite the Flagstaff Gardens and near hospitals, the Melbourne Metro route and the Queen Victoria Market redevelopment.

According to a heritage report, the well-preserved and significant Moderne Dudok-style facade included skilful use of brickwork and massing, and demonstrated the industrial roots of Melbourne’s fringe.

It was originally the modern wool stores and offices for Ralph A Stuart and Company, wool and hide merchants in the 1930s.