Sime Darby Shaves 98 Homes from Melbourne Skyscraper

Detailed design began after the approval in March and changes made, “influenced by building service requirements and the need to address market demand”. 

Apartments in the tower will be cut to 595 build-to-sell apartments, a reduction of around 14 per cent.

Sime Darby has introduced an amended mix of apartments, reducing the number of studios and one-bedroom apartments, and proposing new two- and three-bedroom apartments and a penthouse. 

The changes provide a “more equitable mix” according to the plans. 

As a result, there would be a reduced number of apartments on levels 31 to 58, with 18 units on each floor and 14 on each level from 59 to 62, compared to the previously approved 21 per floor.

▲ Sime Darby's project overlooks the Queen Victoria Markets precinct, which is undergoing a major renewal.

While the above-ground building envelope remains the same under the plans, a basement level will be removed, reducing car parking by 69 spaces, for a total of 85.

Amenity on level 29 are moving to level 64. Apartments will now fill the 29th floor.

The proposal from Urbis maintains key attributes of the “high-quality outcome” of the approved project which aims to “reinvigorate an underutilised area” between the CBD and Queen Victoria Markets.

The wider project, designed by Cox Architecture, consists of 900 purpose-built student accommodation beds, which remain unchanged in the latest updates. 

Sime Darby will also deliver 10,103sq m of net lettable office area on levels 2 to 6, and 3419sq m of retail premises on the mezzanine and level 1, with open-air laneways and arcades on the ground floor.

Sime Darby has worked quickly to develop the site. It acquired the multi-level car park for a reported $115 million in 2024 from the Evan Lim & Co family dynasty.