Developer Halim Group has unveiled images of a 25-storey tower as part of a $260 million redevelopment of Melbourne’s historic Hotel Windsor.
Designed by Denton Corker Marshall, the slim 25-storey tower will act as a “curtain” draping behind the original 19th century building. The tower will have one glass wall and the rest will be made of masonry panels. It will be set back 25 metres from Spring Street and Bourke Street.
“We wanted a neutral backdrop to the historic façade,” Bill Corker of Denton Corker Marshall said.
The major redevelopment proposal was lodged with planning authorities including Heritage Victoria two days ago. Denton Corker Marshall said it was going through the normal negations with the planning authorities and everything with the submission so far had been “routine”.
“We’ve put forward a straight-forward case and we haven’t been discouraged so far,” Corker told Architecture & Design.
The proposal also includes a refurbishment of the original hotel building and its key historic features. The exterior will be restored more faithfully to its original appearance, including the reinstatement of the Spring Street colonnade.
The tower will include additional guest rooms and suites, meeting rooms and health and
leisure facilities.
The proposal includes a new corner building to replace the 1960s north wing addition. The ground level would be fully glazed with retractable openings, allowing al fresco dining and refreshments. The upper levels will include new banquet and function facilities, meeting rooms, guestrooms and an indoor pool.
A statement of heritage impacts by Lovell Chen heritage consultants says the development “has been approached and designed in a manner which seeks a balanced outcome in which key heritage values of the place are maintained and its future as a grand hotel better assured”.
The plans, prepared by architects Denton Corker Marshall, replace a previous submission for the renovation of the historic hotel. Refurbishment plans for The Hotel Windsor were previously approved by Heritage Victoria in March 2008. Since then full ownership of the property has been acquired by the Halim Group, which began a full review of long-term options for the site and its economic viability. The review included an analysis of comparable landmark hotels around the world.
“I’m sure it will be an iconic feature of Melbourne,” Corker said. “The Windsor is the last of the grand heritage hotels in the country. Melbourne’s already lost five. So this development is a means by which its future can be assured.”
Hotel Windsor CEO and general manager David Perry said: “The Hotel Windsor is at an historical crossroads. It was born during the Marvellous Melbourne period when this was one of the richest cities in the world. But today the old duchess looks tired and dowdy.
“To maintain relevance in the contemporary tourist market, she needs a modern makeover like some of the great other old hotels around the world,” Perry said.
The proposed renovation and re-development is subject to planning and financial approvals.
Subject to these approvals, preliminary work is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2010.
