Melbourne’s $2bn skyscraper to transform Southbank

Malaysian-backed developer Beulah International has lodged plans for its $2 billion Southbank Skyscraper which will include a 202-key hotel with 120 hotel residences and 6600sqm conference centre.

The 5-star urban resort will be topped with a “world-class rooftop culinary experience”, with views of the Melbourne skyline.

The massive development also includes four distinct collections of private residences, commercial offices, a fresh food marketplace, food and drink precinct, cultural podium and wellness precinct.

Dutch architecture firm UNStudio and Melbourne-based Cox Architecture beat five other proposals for the landmark site which will consist of two twisting geometric towers.

The taller of the two towers which will offer residential apartments will rise 356.2 metres under the proposal, making it the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere.

“Our project is a vote of confidence in Melbourne’s economy, and it will transform Southbank,” Beulah managing director Jiaheng Chan said.

“It’s our vision to improve the urban environment on City Road and create an internationally significant landmark that will be a vibrant mini metropolis for people to live, work, shop, learn, play and stay.”

The proposed mixed-use lifestyle precinct, dubbed Southbank by Beulah, will feature 13,500sqm dedicated to arts and cultural programs.

“We have worked closely with both the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and the City of Melbourne and are inspired by their vision for Southbank,” Chan said.

“We see this project as an extension of the famous Arts Precinct and we are already in discussions with prospective prominent local and international art collaborators to create an experience to complement the current arts offering.”

Sheridan Randall, 7^th August 2019