Rundown Windsor Hotel tops Lord Mayor Robert Doyle’s building facelift wish list
LORD Mayor Robert Doyle has weighed into the debate over the Windsor Hotel’s future, saying the city’s “grand old lady” desperately needs a facelift.
But the hotel’s owners are adamant that planned $85 million refurbishment works cannot go ahead unless the Andrews Government extends a permit for wider redevelopment of the site.
Mr Doyle highlighted the Windsor as he released his list of historic city buildings that looked rundown and needed “some love”.
Others include the Forum Theatre and the Banana Alley Vaults in Flinders St.
Mr Doyle said the Windsor was looking shabby and he would be disappointed if it was shut down as a hotel and converted into apartments.
“I’m hoping that the owners can either get started on the renovation or we can find a different way of restoring it — it’s just a real pity that it’s fallen into disrepair — it doesn’t stack up any more as a five-star hotel,” he said.
Adi Halim, from Windsor owner the Halim Group, agreed with the Lord Mayor, but said the hotel’s renovation could only proceed if Planning Minister Richard Wynne extended a permit for proposed $330 million redevelopment works, including a new tower.
“I have advice from three major builders, building lawyers ... saying it can’t happen because the permit does not allow enough time for the 36-month project,” he said.
Mr Wynne has said work could have started any time since the building permit was granted in 2010, but Mr Halim said necessary heritage permits had taken years.
Mr Doyle said the Banana Alley Vaults were a magnificent part of our history, but were neglected.
“I’d love to see them done up, and although they go all the way through to the river you don’t get any sense of the water being activated by the vaults,” he said.
State Government body VicTrack, which owns the vaults, will spend $160,000 on facade restoration, including render works, repointing works and the painting of the parapet walls.
On the Forum, Mr Doyle said it was a magnificent old theatre but was looking tired.
“I know the people who use it don’t want it to be too spit-polished but nevertheless the outside looks like it could use a fair bit of love,” he said.
THE LORD MAYOR’S REVAMP WISH LIST
1. Windsor Hotel: A grand old hotel looking shabby
2. Forum Theatre: Magnificent building but appearing tired
3. Banana Alley Vaults: A part of history that should link to the river
4. Melbourne City building (112 Elizabeth St): A fine 19th century structure in need of a clean
5. Robert Reid & Co building (340 Flinders St): An Edwardian gem in need of some love
Source: Herald Sun, John Masanauskas, 2nd August 2015
Originally published as: Rundown Windsor Hotel tops Lord Mayor Robert Doyle’s building facelift wish list
