Residents fight off rooftop bar

The City of Melbourne approved a six-million-dollar development at 10-16 McKillop St on October 15 after years of conflict between development plans and local residents.

When plans were advertised three years ago to repurpose the building into a tavern and rooftop bar 70 objections were submitted to the council, forcing the plans to be withdrawn.

Many of the objections came from residents of the Excelsior building at 390 Little Collins St.

City of Melbourne chair of planning Nicholas Reece said the new plans recognised the long-term concerns.

“The good news is that I think the main objections that you have made about this particular development have actually been addressed in the most recent proposal that has been lodged,” Cr Reece said.

“There won’t be a bar or a restaurant or any hospitality venues on the upper levels of the building.”

Cr Reece praised the residents of the Excelsior building as some the CBD’s resident pioneers and an active community.

“That building was one of the first to have residents fill it.”

The subject building is currently a vacant four storeys and a basement. The approved development will add three storeys.

A restaurant will open at ground level while the rest of the development will be used mostly for office space.

“In terms of the application I think there’s a lot to like about it. The two buildings aren’t heritage listed but I think they could be described as buildings of character, they add a lot to the character of that area.”

“I’m delighted to see the proposal retains those buildings, not just the façade but all of those two buildings are retained and then the three storeys being added are recessed and so they will not be visually imposing on the street.”