New Player Wins Approval for Abbotsford Office Block

New developer Coff Property Group has been greenlit for its first major development, in a heritage-sensitive Melbourne suburb. The five-storey mixed-use development is planned for a site at 130 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford, 2.5km from Melbourne’s CBD and next to the historic Collingwood Town Hall. With an estimated end value of $12 million, the development comprises ground-floor retail space and four levels of commercial office space, each offering about 200sq m of net lettable area. The building design preserves the heritage facade while introducing a contemporary vertical structure, and includes end-of-trip facilities, bike storage and a carparking stacker providing one space per commercial and retail tenancy. Adam Coff, who formed Coff Property Group two years ago, said working with the City of Yarra throughout the planning process began late last year ,-->had been crucial to approval. The process, alongside town planner Whiteman Property and Associates, began late last year . “It’s got a sensitive facade, and we needed to respect the heritage value, the design and the fabric of the area. And there’s nothing more prestigious than the Town Hall,” Coff told The Urban Developer . “We took the time to work with council, and really respect the integrity of the heritage overlays within the area, and I think that was the reason we got such a positive outcome.” ▲ Coff ’ s development is next to the historic Collingwood Town Hall. Coff said the project had received just four objections from the 680 council letters sent to residents, and no applications was requested for VCAT review. The approval allows for a building substantially taller than surrounding structures, despite its proximity to the historic clock tower at the Town Hall. Heritage architect John Briggs was engaged to navigate the complexities of retaining the heritage facade, working with IDLE architects to create the final design. The building features a vertical brick element that runs above the first-floor mezzanine balcony, tying in with the facade, the nearby council library, and red-brick buildings that are prominent in the neighbourhood. ▲ A render of the approved office block for the Abbotsford site. Despite well-documented decreasing office demand due to flexible work arrangements, Coff is optimistic about the project’s viability. He is working with Colliers International to explore options for the commercial spaces, which may be offered for strata sale. Coff said the site had multiple public transport options at its doorstep. “If you think about the entry and exit for any potential tenant, the car stacker means they can drive, they can get the bus that stops at the front door, they can get the train that stops at the back door, or they can ride their bike,” Coff said. Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2025, with completion slated for late 2026. The developer is preparing to start the tender process. This project marks Coff’s first major development under his own banner, with a second significant project—a $46-million townhouse proposal for Prahran—in the pipeline.

New Player Wins Approval for Abbotsford Office Block

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