Original post 17 February 2020

I’m going to have to change my title for upper elizabeth street from #fivestepsisters to #sixstepsisters – the next one in the gap between 1 & 2 is under construction- annoyingly it’s only 55 levels, much shorter than the 65-75 of the other towers – apparently it was ‘too tall’ though after a certain point I don’t think it matters, it’s the street setbacks (which this one has but the others don’t) and design of ground level that’s important. It’s going to be #CityLodge student accommodation, changed from apartments due to I think declining mainland Chinese investment; the developers and operators of this are local, European and Canadian. Architect #NettletonTribe, they’re from Brisbane I think.

23 March 2018:

The #fivestepsisters now and and last February, all complete now. As I said last year….”soon they’ll make an uneven extremely tall #urbanwall. In order left to right : #VisionMelbourne (just finished), Peddle Thorpe, 72 floors, 474 flats. #VictoriaOne, Elenberg Fraser, 75 floors, 671 flats. #LightHouseMelbourne, Elenberg Fraser, 61 floors, 607 flats. #MY80 (finished), Hayball, 55 floors, 487 flats. #EmpireApartments, Hayball, 62 floors, 474 flats. That’s um 2713 #flats altogether.” @ Vision Apartments

4 April 2017:

Two of the #fivestepsisters – #MY80 (#Hayball, 60 levels) and #EmpireApartments (#ElenbergFraser, 60 levels). Like all the #fivestepsisters, small area, no #podiums or #setbacks, despite being recommended in the #planningscheme, all approved by #MatthewGuy.

11 August 2014 :

Empire #apartmenttower #elizabethstreet cnr #abeckett by #hayball. I like the super-slim proportions and the wobbly but horizontal expression BUT – it flouts all the rules, sorry ‘guidelines’ – no podium, no setbacks, poor ground level and theres more just like it coming – one behind, with a 5m gap between, one across abeckett, 2 in franklin, one a block up, and others (2nd pic recent streetview). The Minister’s officers who hand out the permits obviously dont think the guidelines are at all important. And the City of Melbourne arnt raising any objections. (Justin Madden issued the permit for this one).

2021 streetview

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