ApartmentsClare BurnettTue 18 Aug 26
PDG Files 280-Home Proposal for Former Water Tank Site at Ivanhoe
PDG has taken the covers off plans to transform the site of a historic water tank in Melbourne’s north-east into a 280-home neighbourhood.
The developer was tapped to develop the surplus state land at Ivanhoe, 9km from Melbourne CBD, earlier this year.
It has now filed plans for the site, which was rezoned as part of a wider push by the government to accelerate the development of underutilised infill sites.
The tank site was part of Melbourne’s water infrastructure from the early 1900s until 2004. It had laid derelict until the site was rezoned by the state in 2018.
Development Victoria acquired the parcel from Yarra Valley Water in 2022.
The state planning minister approved a development plan for new housing at the 421 Upper Heidelberg Road site in late 2024.
PDG has now fleshed out the plans to turn the area into a “thriving” residential neighbourhood of 287 homes.
The scheme’s one, two and three-bedroom apartments would be in two residential buildings alongside a 2000sq m public park. Ten per cent of the homes are allocated as affordable housing.
The buildings are to be between three and 12 storeys, and linked by a landscaped forecourt.
Residents would have access to 1000sq m of communal open space including dining and barbecue facilities, vegetable gardens and a co-working space.
Designed by DKO Architecture, the proposal has been inspired by the area’s industrial heritage, PDG said.
PDG founder and managing director Vince Giuliano said the development was an opportunity to “reimagine an important site and create a neighbourhood that delivers lasting benefits for Ivanhoe”.
“The vision brings together affordable housing, quality architecture, meaningful public open space and shared places that encourage people to connect, while respecting the site’s history and its place within the community,” Giuliano said.
Development Victoria executive general manager precincts, Niall Cunningham, said the application was an important step for the government-owned site.
The planning submission for the project is being progressed through the Victorian Government’s Development Facilitation Program.
Also in Ivanhoe, Samma Property Group has teamed up with affordable housing specialist Assemble to develop a 435-home build-to-rent project, and a 58-unit seniors project is in the works by Villa Maria Catholic Homes.
Ivanhoe gets its name from Ivanhoe, the famous 1820 historical romantic novel by Sir Walter Scott. Early settler Archibald Thom named his property after the book in the late 1830s or 1840s and the name stuck as the area grew into a village.
