Lawyer’s West Melbourne Office Block Gets Nod

A Melbourne lawyer’s plans for an office block in West Melbourne has been green lit.

The City of Melbourne granted Paul Zaparas a permit for the seven-storey office building planned for 66-68 Batman Street.

KUD Architects designed the plans that will have 1731sq m of gross floor area. with seven commercial tenancies within the building.

Each level will be stepped back slightly to create balconies and rooftop terraces.

An existing two-storey brick building on the site will be demolished under the infill development plans.

An 18-storey tower at 50-56 Batman Street ,and a 38-storey tower and 25-storey tower on Spencer Street neighbour the site.

An adjoining site has been earmarked for development but would require extending the existing development application.

The West Melbourne Structure Plan released in 2018 outlines planning controls for heritage protection of sites and the creation of 10,000sq m of open space with a new high street envisioned for Spencer Street.

But opportunities and sites for development in West Melbourne are rare and the State Government is pushing for more infill housing projects.

On May 3, The Urban Developer reported that the City of Melbourne council had approved using council-owned land at 325-341 Victoria Street in West Melbourne for affordable housing projects.