Belvedere, famous St Kilda apartment block at risk of development
Belvedere, one of St Kilda’s most beloved landmarks is up for sale. The 1927 apartment block on the corner of Upper Esplanade and Robe Street is perhaps most notable for its Spanish Mission styled tower, the setting for the cult television show “The Secret Life of Us” which screened between 2001 and 2005.
While the building is heritage registered and protected by law, the estate agents are advertising its development potential (the addition of an extra storey) subject to council approval.
Such a development would likely be pushed for by any new owner as this is one of the medium to low rise apartment buildings which is directly affected by the Triangle development opposite and would most likely block views of the sea from the lower level apartments (this may well be the reason that the original owners all sold out). However such a development would compromise the most significant feature – the tower – and severely impact the heritage quality of this building.
Any such development would also require approval from Heritage Victoria.
However in recent times, anything is possible when the state government and VCAT becomes involved. Nevertheless we will be watching this one closely.
Viewed from Robe Street
