Preservation - 420 Spencer Street, West Melbourne
(HW & FB Tompkins, 1937)
420 Spencer St, West Melbourne
APRIL 2006 - Preservation News
Following the extended and successful battle in 2003 to retain the building, another development proposal has been lodged. It would result in reduced height (from the original proposal of 26 storeys down to 13 storeys) and would retain the façade of the original building to a depth of approximately one metre.The Department of Sustainability & Environment is the responsible planning authority as the proposed building exceeds 25,000 square metres. The proposal for development will be advertised soon and will be opposed by the City of Melbourne on the grounds that the height of the building is excessive for this site.
SPRING 2003 - Preservation News
Great News! This elegant 1937 Streamline Moderne building in West Melbourne was threatened with demolition. ADS joined with the Melbourne Council and the Northwest Association in opposing the demolition permit, and succeeded in having the permit revoked at a VCAT hearing. This was a great result for the Council's planning process and for confirmation of the value of heritage listing of buildings. Read the full decision at Australasian Legal Information Institute website.AUTUMN 2003 - Preservation News
ADS is currently involved in a major preservation battle with developers over the Streamline Moderne building at 420 Spencer Street.A proposal to demolish the building and replace it with a 26-storey apartment tower has been approved by the Minister of Planning. ADS has lodged an appeal with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), as have the Melbourne Council and the Northwest Association, representing the residents.
ADS was recently successful in having 420 Spencer Street listed by the National Trust. Whilst this listing does not provide any formal safeguards, it is an important step in the recognition of the value of the building.
SPRING 2002 - Preservation News
Located on the corner of Dudley St, 420 Spencer is the best example of Streamline Moderne in West Melbourne.Melbourne City Council has a height limit of 8 storeys in this precinct. However, an application has been made for its demolition and replacement with a 26 storey apartment tower with a total floor space of 25,500 square metres. Under Victorian planning law, the responsible planning authority for developments with a floor space exceeding 25,000 square metres is the Minister for Planning, Mary Delahuntly.
Vigorous opposition to the proposal was lodged by ADS, Melbourne City Council, the Northwest Association (the local residents group) and the National Trust, and we were assisted by submissions from a number of other Societies after we sent out an international alert.