A 240-metre Melbourne skyscraper lodged for planning approval

Melbourne-based property developer PDG Corporation has submitted a planning permit application for a new skyscraper situated adjacent to the city's Crown Casino in Southbank. Designed by Cox, the scheme offers residences atop a commercial podium alongside the site's heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel.

Cox has confirmed in a communique that, if built, the 67-storey tower will reach approximately 240 metres in height. According to PDG, the proposed development includes public dining and entertainment facilities, as well as "luxury wellness and lifestyle amenities" exclusive to the building's 483 residences.

In addition to capturing "optimal views whilst providing efficient shading and thermal performance," Cox noted that their design for the development draws inspiration from the site's ecological and geological histories, echoing the erosion patterns of the Yarra River within a stepped architectural form.

Director of Cox Simon Haussegger reflected, "At its core, this project is about honouring the forces that have shaped Melbourne - both natural and human-made. By embedding ecological narratives into the design, One Queens Bridge Street becomes more than a building; it becomes a dialogue between past and future, landscape and city."

According to the firm's design statement, the proposed tower is envisioned as an "urban connector," acting as a gateway between Southbank's riverfront entertainment promenade and the site's neighbouring residential and arts precincts. The building's articulated facade integrates a series of terraces that are intended to create intimate spaces that offer moments of respite and connection to nature.

"One Queens Bridge Street is designed for longevity - its form is conceptually shaped by the elements, but its purpose is deeply human-centric," senior associate of Cox Ignacio De Mena commented. "By integrating a generous ground plane and an active mixed-use program, the project enriches Southbank's urban life, and ensures it will remain a dynamic and welcoming destination for generations to come."

The 1-29 Queens Bridge Street site was previously home to a 90-storey proposal from Crown, which was controversially exempted from local planning controls and approved by state government in 2017. Designed by Wilkinson Eyre in association with Architectus, the previous scheme sought the title of Australia's tallest building at the time it was lodged for planning. Approval for the proposal lapsed in 2019 when the state government rejected Crown's request for a permit extension. As a result, the site was sold to PDG in 2024.

Founder and managing director of PDG Vince Giuliano stated that the luxury residences, which enjoy panoramic views of the Yarra River, Melbourne CBD and Port Phillip Bay, are "designed to be liveable, sustainable and ensure lasting value for our clients."

"We are looking forward to collaborating with the state government, the City of Melbourne, and the local community to further elevate the Southbank Precinct, ensuring it remains Australia's premier destination for residential living, arts, entertainment and lifestyle," he said.

The scheme is located down the road from PDG's Boyd Village development - a mixed-use residential and affordable housing project designed by DKO Architecture that commenced construction in 2022 and reached its peak height in February 2025.

Subject to approval, PDG note that One Queens Bridge is expected to be complete in 2029.