IMG Swaps Southbank Hotel for Residential Tower

MG Australia Investments has shelved plans to build a 27-storey, 380-key hotel in Melbourne’s Southbank, instead seeking approval for a residential tower. 

Amended plans have been filed with the City of Melbourne for a 200-apartment tower project for the 292-300 City Road site.

A former Edwardian poultry warehouse, built 106 years ago, occupies the site and the previously approved plans for the hotel retained much of building’s facade.

The developer had singalled that the Pullman group would be the hotel partner for the venture.

The Elenberg Fraser-designed plans for the hotel were approved in September, 2021, pending conditions including bike parking and setbacks.

The new plans include these conditions with setbacks amended, bike parking considered, the basement layout redone and amendments to turn the 380 hotel rooms into 200 apartments. 

There were also some changes to non-residential spaces within the tower—the basement now will be deeper and hold 113 car parking spaces including car stackers.

▲ The previously approved plans for the site included a 380-room hotel run by the Pullman Hotel Group.

The new plans indicate a total GFA of 23,965sq m with a retail area of 1885sq m, 13,200sq m of residential and 1679sq m of communal areas.

A 1600sq m terrace is planned for level 26.

Most of the communal areas within the podium and level five will be retained for use by the residents.

The amended plans say that the reason change from hotel to residential apartments was prompted by current market conditions that make a residential project more viable in the post-pandemic landscape.