Gurner plans Southbank rooftop bar at former Eve nightclub venue
The development planned for 334 City Rd, Southbank, is planned to soar 40 storeys.
The former home of a celebrity-studded nightclub is set for a $250m development, promising a sky-high rooftop bar built into a “crown structure” that could be a first for Southbank.
Eve welcomed guests from Britney Spears to Kanye West, but closed its doors in 2016 after a 38-storey tower was approved to replace it.
But the plans stalled – partly because the then-developer’s original push for an 82-level skyscraper were more than halved by Planning Minister Richard Wynne.
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The six-storey building has been operating as a hostel under the banner Urban Central since the departure of the nightclub, but has been bought out by high-profile developer Tim Gurner.
With a permit for a 40-level tower now in place, Mr Gurner has announced plans to create “Melbourne’s hottest new rooftop venue” at the 334 City Rd address. But would not elaborate further, indicating he would have more to say in a few weeks’ time.
The award-winning Eve nightclub was a celebrity magnet owned by Nick and Daniel Russian, with footballing great Chris Judd among its shareholders.
Chris Judd seated at the nightclub he was a shareholder of.
International celebrity visitors included Spears, Kanye West and Serena Williams, while local famous faces seen in the nightclub include Shane Warne, Guy Sebastian, Jennifer Hawkins, Matt Newton and Vince Colosimo.
It was also famed for its post-AFL Grand Final parties. Fallen football idol Ben Cousins was famously arrested after being found slumped shirtless outside it in 2006.
After submitting revised plans to council last month Mr Gurner said they believed Southbank was going through a “renaissance of sorts” and that they could “do something special that will add to the flavour of the area”.
The tower is designed by Warren and Mahoney architects with a view to luxury living for its expected 400 apartments, including a mix of one, two and three-bedroom floorplans.
“With its defined crown structure atop of the building, the tower is a symbolic piece of
architecture that will be highly visible on the skyline of Southbank and contribute to
Melbourne’s broader cityscape,” principal Nick Deans said.
The top of the 334 City Rd tower will be surrounded by a “crown structure”.
Southbank Residents Association president Tony Penna said he wasn’t aware of any other rooftop bars in the suburb anywhere near 40 storeys high.
There are bars with exterior spaces in the Crown Casino precinct in Southbank. And earlier this year, construction finished on a bar and restaurant with an outdoor infinity-edge pool at Capital Alliance’s The Docklands.
Melbourne’s CBD also features a wide array of rooftop entertainment hubs ranging from bars to cinemas.
The western end of Southbank was largely developed before the Victorian Government released the Better Apartment Design Standards. And Mr Penna said any project that provided a better quality home than the ‘dog boxes’ common in that part of the city would be an improvement.
A ground-level retail precinct is also planned for the development.
“We would be positive about anything that is activating the suburb,” Mr Penna said.
“Activation is something that Southbank lacks, especially when you get back from the river.
“But the noise of it could be an issue as well.”
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