1 - 7 Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne

 A brief chronology of 1 - 7 Waterfront Place

1 - 7 Waterfront Place in November 2010 1 – 7 Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne 1988 Bayside Project Act passed. The Minister for Planning becomes the Responsible Authority for the Bayside site 1989 EPA issues site clean up notice. Remediation works 1992 Bayside Open Planning Forum (August) 1993 Government calls for expressions of interest to develop the site 1994 Mirvac named as preferred developer. Draws up precinct plans 1995 Construction begins - including 1 - 7 Waterfront Place including gym and childcare centre 2009   2012  City of Port Phillip prepares draft Urban Design Guidelines for the site in anticipation of an application Action Group sought a permit for three buildings up to 19 storeys tall. The application was refused. 2014 Fire broke out on the site in the early hours of 14 September and buildings extensively damaged 2017 A planning application for a single 10 storey tower made, and refused by City of Port Phillip. Appealed to VCAT. 2018 On 30 July 2018, the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, calls in the application, the same day that the application was scheduled to be heard at VCAT.  2019 In October, the applicant appeals the Minister's call in to the Supreme Court which rules in favour of the Minister 2019 Minister appoints an Advisory Committee to consider a revised application. The applicant withdraws from the process 2020 August - a new application is made to the City of Port Phillip 2021 Approved by the Port Phillip Council on 24 June (with conditions) 2021 Developer appeals City of Port Phillip decision to VCAT 2022 VCAT hearing set down for 23 - 25 March VCAT approves the development and sets aside the conditions that were in dispute (VCAT Reference No P11346/2021, Permit Application No 490/2020 11/2024 Casa Properties confirms purchase of the site Casa Properties have prepared modified plans with apartment numbers down  reduced from 119 to 84 for presentation to  VCAT at a compulsory conference on 30 April. (March 2025)

59 Johnston St, Port Melbourne

March 2025

Site hoardings invite interest in 'seven masterfully crafted residences' by LAWD Projects. 

March 2021

The site has been cleared.

59 Johnston St, Port Melbourne - the site is cleared.

February 2021

Demolition of the building is underway.

Demolition of 59 Johnston St, February 2021

January 2021

On 9 November 2020 an application was made to the City of Port Phillip to amend the existing permit which allows construction of fifteen dwellings in a six level residential building. 

The amendment seeks to change the use to an office with a cafe below. The building would be the same height but one less level (5 rather than 6). The proposal seeks a reduction in car parking from that which was required for the residential dwellings.

The blue planning notice denotes that this application is for an amendment to a previously granted permit, rather than a new application.

59 Johnston St, Port Melbourne

November 2019

The 298 sqm site was sold on 1 November by CBRE by private treaty, price unknown. It has planning approval for a six level building designed by CHT architects.

59 Johnston St November 2019

2015

The site was sold for $3,210,000.

14 December 2011

Planning application 0580/2011 was approved for the construction of 15 dwellings and a six level building. 

Car parking was required as follows:

• Not less than 1 space for the 12 x 2 BR dwellings; and 
• The remaining car space allocated to one (1) of the 3 x 1 BR dwellings. 

1986

The property was sold in 1986 for $420,000.

156-162 Thistlethwaite St, South Melbourne

March 2025

156 - 162 Thistlethwaite under construction, March 2025

A mature tree is removed for a cross over. 

July 2023

The site is prepared for construction by DCS Built.

Viewed from the corner of Boundary & Thistlethwaite Sts, July 2023

The BelleVue

Revealing its past and future - the corner of Boundary and Thistlethwaite Sts.

4 April 2021

Advertising has begun for the eleven townhouses to be built on this site. 

The development, the first in the observation of Port Houses, emphasises smart technology in all areas of operation of the home.

Architect: Caisson

Chief Architect: Craig Barkla

19 October 2018

H & R Motor Body Repairs have moved to Braybrook after fifty years in this location. The site deteriorates.

26 September 2018

The City of Port Phillip issued a permit, with conditions, for 12 townhouses of 4 levels at the planning meeting on 26 September 2018.

9 November 2015

'First time offered in 50 years.'

279 Graham St, Port Melbourne

May 2019

October 2017

The site has been cleared and advertising has appeared for 'Prince & Graham'.

Storage tanks removed September 2017

August 2017

The buildings on site were demolished in August.

Demolition of Sandridge Motors August 2017 photo Jack Bolt

11 June 2017

The cars have gone. 

Michael Goldberg owned and operated this garage from the 1980s when he took up the business to be closer to his father, Dr Goldberg, who practised from his surgery on the corner of Bridge and Princes St.

6 June 2017

The property was sold by Dixon Kestles in April. Sandridge Motors is moving out following the retirement of the owners.

The site is zoned General Residential within Design and Development Overlay 1.4 which permits up to 6 storeys.

History

The site was part of a neighbourhood shopping strip established c1890. Small businesses such as a newsagency, dressmaker, draper, grocer and a confectioner opened at that time with a greengrocer established at nov279 who remained there until the early 1920s. 

The original garage on this site was owned by Mark Davis until 1948. He bought the garage from his father, George Washington Davis. The original garage was a two storey building with a residence above. 

It was an independent garage. Every petrol pump was from a different company. People buying petrol, or oil, could choose between Mobil, COR, Shell. 

(source: letter from Carl Davis to Pat Grainger,  Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society 2013)

77 Spring St East, Port Melbourne

 February 2025

Demolition of the house is underway.

City of Port Phillip planning application PDPL 0552/2023 for a two storey dwelling with a roof terrace.

Demolition of 77 Spring St east, February 2025

May 2023

The windows are shuttered. The property is for sale by Belle. The range is between $2,300,000 - $2,500,000 suggesting the site's development potential. 

77 Spring St East, May 2023

149 Dow Street, Port Melbourne

 December 2024

The house, on a 225 sq m block, was sold on 18 December 2024 by Frank Gordon for $1,550,000

"The absence of heritage overlay is rare, and allows a builder to take advantage of the 2nd street frontage off Adams Lane." (source: Frank Gordon real estate)

203 - 205 Normanby Rd, South Melbourne

December 2024

No. of Units: 237 Units*
Status: Under Construction
Architect: Hayball
Builder/s: Crema Constructions

CDL is a subsidiary of international real estate company City Developments Ltd CDL. This is their first Australian Build-To-Rent project. 

*unclear about how this went from 171 to 237 units

9 September 2020

The site is occupied by Melbourne City Toyota.

A 36 level development approved was approved by the Minister this week after being reviewed by the Standing Advisory Committee. It comprises 171 dwellings and includes 10 affordable housing units.

Click here for the full report of the Standing Advisory Committee on 203 - 205 Normanby Rd. 

May 2020

The Standing Advisory Committee hearing has concluded and the report is awaited.

September 2019

Referred to the Standing Advisory Committee for consideration.

Sales history

In 1982 the site was sold for $228,500. (source: realestate.com)