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As one of the fastest growing cities in Australia, Melbourne is experiencing a dramatic change in its built form with many highrise buildings currently planned or under construction throughout the downtown area. At the corner of King and Little Lonsdale Streets, steps away from Flagstaff Gardens — the city's oldest park — developer Farinia Pty Ltd plans to erect a 64-storey primarily residential tower. Recently approved, 295-309 King Street will rise 210 metres above street level, compared to the originally proposed height of 267 metres.
Designed by Plus Architecture, the new tower will consist of approximately 440 dwellings, comprising potential studios, 208 one-bedroom units, 182 two-bedrooms, 23 three-bedrooms, and nine luxury penthouse apartments. One entire level will also be dedicated to the development's shared amenities. Current renderings show a series of retail spaces breathing life into the base of the 10-storey podium, including laneway lobbies and cafes, a quintessential characteristic of Melbourne's urban landscape.
The podium will be topped by a circular tower reminiscent of Romanian sculptor Brancusi’s work Bird in Space. The lower third of the tower will boast punched-in balconies, which are gradually replaced by a seamless and uninterrupted iridescent glass facade. Indeed, 295-309 King Street will have a unique impact on the city's skyline, capturing the light spectrum's varying hues and giving the facade an ever-changing, colourful look.
A completion date has yet to be made public for the $130 million (AUD) project, which is set to replace two Edwardian buildings fronting King Street. In the meantime, additional images and information about the project can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
