City of Melbourne approves Bolte build-to-rent project

The City of Melbourne has approved plans for a $152 million apartment tower at the foot of the Bolte Bridge.

Developer Samma Property Group submitted the application after purchasing the site in 2021 for an undisclosed amount.

Located at 194-204 and 206 Lorimer Street, the site sits on the bank of the Yarra River, and is adjacent to Shed 21 – a heritage-listed structure built in the 1950s.

The ground floor of the new build-to-rent tower will include community spaces, which Council hopes will blend with the existing Shed 21 hub, revitalising the entire precinct.

Residences at the 31-storey tower include 402 apartments, 15 of which will be three-bedroom abodes. 202 carparks, 248 bicycle storage spaces, and food and beverage areas complete the design.

Tract Consultants Executive Director Luke Chamberlain represented the developer at a Future Melbourne Committee meeting, and spoke of the site’s value to Melbourne’s skyline:

“We think this site, in terms of its location, really lends itself well to hosting a feature building; it’s a high-exposure site, and we think at a capital city scale that it’s really important it’s been designed in this way. It’s very dynamic.”

The application will now go to the State Government for final approval.

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