By Benjamin Millar
Development of the half-built and abandoned Club Edgewater project could finally be back on track with new owners lodging plans to redevelop the site with offices and apartments.
Maribyrnong residents have raised growing concerns about rubbish dumping and illegal activities at the 31 Edgewater Boulevard site, labelling the concrete shell an eyesore and safety risk.
The future of the site has been in limbo since 2015 when Western Bulldogs walked away from their controversial $30 million pokies and entertainment project after falling out with the site’s then owner and developer, Prizac.
Prizac then partnered with hotel group Adara on plans for a 10-storey development on the 5100-square-metre site to contain a hotel, apartments, shops and a gym.
Maribyrnong council approved a scaled-back, eight-storey complex with 72 hotel rooms and 90 apartments, only for Prizac to back away from the plan and place the site on the market.
The property was last year sold to Ninety Four Feet and Hamilton Marino Builders for a reported $9.5 million.
Ninety Four Feet is the developer behind the “Frankie” apartment project in Yarraville.
A new planning application for the Edgewater Boulevard site was lodged with Maribyrnong council in December. It seeks to retain the existing four-level shell and construct two additional levels.
The proposed project scraps the previously approved hotel, opting instead for 88 apartments, offices, a medical centre, a showroom and a 110-place childcare centre.
Maribyrnong planning services director Nigel Higgins said the application, which is exempt from advertising or objection, remains in the early stages of assessment.
Ninety Four Feet managing director Dean Rzechta said there had been challenges retrofitting a new proposal to the existing structure, but he was confident the project would be popular with owner-occupiers and welcomed by the local community.
“There was a pokies and alcohol and live venue approved for the site, which we know has been a concern for the community,” he said.
“We will be providing a combination of offices and apartments that should fill a nice gap in the market.”
Mr Rzechta said once council approval was gained construction would begin almost immediately, rather than waiting for pre-sales to be completed.
