Richmond RSL Club has amended the long-held apartment redevelopment plans it has with the City of Yarra council including changes to balconies, increasing the height of the lift shaft and moving the residential lobby to accommodate a services cupboards.
According to council records, permission for the original plans was granted in September 2016. The permit was for a four-storey building at 399-401 Church Street with no more than 20 apartments, one basement level and a reduction in the car-parking requirement. In 2017, the architectural plans, ecologically sustainable design report and a conservation works plan were endorsed.
Amendments to the architectural plans were also made in 2018 and 2019 and time extensions for the permit were granted up until September 28, 2022.
There are now 13 units planned, comprising two one-bedroom apartments, nine two- and two three-bedroom apartments. There are further alterations to all apartments on the third floor in order to create more privacy for the apartment balconies below. The basement level will have 14 car-parking spaces with another three spaces on the ground floor.
Melbourne-based architects WH Architects has designed the plans while NSW-based Avium Pty Ltd is listed as the construction company.
The original development was prompted by the need for new club premises. But the club shut during Covid and has not reopened. While there are further concerns about the safety of the 1922 structure, the redevelopment aims to retain and restore the ageing facades of the building on the corner of Church and Charlotte streets.
