Modernisation on the Horizon of Lonsdale St

Melbourne’s legal precinct may soon witness a significant transformation with plans for a new 23-storey tower at the historic State Public Offices building on Lonsdale Street. The Victorian Government’s Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) has lodged a proposal to demolish much of the existing structure and develop a modern high-rise behind its existing facade.

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The State Public Offices, built in 1930 by Oakley and Parkes Architects, occupies a 1475 square metre site on crown land at 436 Lonsdale Street. Initially constructed for the State Taxation Office, it now sits amidst key judicial and administrative buildings, including the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Melbourne Children’s Court. The building, which underwent additions in the early 1940s, is not listed on the Victorian Heritage Register but is included in a heritage overlay within the Melbourne Planning Scheme.

The new development, designed by Wardle, will primarily serve as office space for the State Government, although specific departments or agencies have not been disclosed. The proposed tower will feature office spaces from the first to the 22nd floor, with a basement level accommodating 73 bicycle storage spaces and an additional 95 spaces on the ground floor.

Plans for the 23-storey tower have been submitted to the department’s ministerial permits register. The proposal will now be reviewed by the City of Melbourne’s planning committee, known as the Future Melbourne Committee, before being referred back to the planning minister for final approval. Heritage concerns related to the building’s inclusion in the Melbourne Planning Scheme’s heritage overlay will be addressed by the committee on behalf of the City of Melbourne council.

The original State Public Offices building has been vacant since 2021 when the Supreme Court announced its closure for fire safety work. The proposed development aims to revitalise this part of Melbourne’s CBD, providing modern office space while preserving the historical facade of the 1930s structure.

A spokesperson for the department told The Urban Developer that the redevelopment would support the State Government’s office needs but did not elaborate on the specific uses. The project reflects a broader trend of modernising historic sites in Melbourne, balancing heritage preservation with the demands of contemporary urban development.

The DTP’s ambitious plan for a 23-storey tower at 436 Lonsdale Street marks a significant step towards enhancing Melbourne’s legal precinct, promising a blend of historical reverence and forward-looking infrastructure.

Images via The Urban Developer