Melbourne Office Tower on Pub Site Approved

Hickory Group’s proposed office tower for the Kilkenny Inn site in the heart of the Melbourne CBD have been approved by the Victorian planning department.

The developer first filed plans in 2019 for a $110-million, 21-storey office tower on the 1700sq m Kilkenny Inn and former Goldfingers gentlemans’ club site at the corner of King and Lonsdale streets.

The plans, designed by Cox Architects, included the demolition of the existing building and the historic Gough Alley behind it. Both the facade and the structure of the Kilkenny Inn were to be retained.

Four retail tenancies and a lobby are planned for the ground floor while the first floor offered office space and two retail tenancies. Three basement levels are planned with space for 57 car parking spaces.

The first, second, sixth and tenth floors include terraces as well as office spaces and amenities.

The total nettable lease area of the tower is estimated at 24,016sq m with the entire tower having a total gross floor area of 37,808 square metres. There will be 623sq m of ground and first floor retail space.

Since then the plans have been revised based on feedback from planning officers at the City of Melbourne. The council approving the plans on May 18, 2021. 

The proposal then went to the planning minister, who approved them in October 2021. 

Hickory then lodged amendments to the permit, which were referred to the council and back to the minister ahead of approval in July 2022, paving the way for the next stage of development.

▲ Hickory Group's proposed plans for an office tower at the Kilkenny Inn site in Melbourne.

In May this year, the building caught fire in a suspected arson attack.

The 100-year old facade was saved but the roof and the middle of the building collapsed. Structural damage limited the investigation into the blaze.

Hickory Group told The Urban Developer that since the fire it has been working with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to make sure the heritage facade would be maintained and the corner pub restored.

Hickory chief executive Michael Argyrou said the restored Kilkenny Inn would open into the lobby of the office tower.

The tower will also boast a social hub, end-of-trip facilities, and health and wellness centre.

“Hickory is proud to be restoring the Kilkenny Inn to its former glory, transforming King Street into a lively and sophisticated social hub,” Argyrou said.

“We’re pleased to announce the launch of this incredible commercial development, which will integrate Kilkenny’s heritage-listed façade and set a new standard of office design in Melbourne.

“King Street is currently undergoing monumental change, and Hickory is at the forefront of this evolution.” 

Hickory are targeting a 6-star NABERS and Green Star rating as the design of the building allows for the regulation of temperature and power consumption. 

The developer has just received funding to develop another project, at 570 Little Bourke Street, which will start construction later this year.

Other projects under way by the developer include ICD Property’s Aspire tower at 299 King Street and the first Meriton Suites Hotel in Melbourne at 140 King Street.