Total sellout

Word on the street (and the AFR) is that Total House has been sold to Riichard Gu and the AXF Group, for $40M. Word is also that it was marketed as a city development site. Quelle horreur.

Here’s the sliced version of the article at AFR.

The building houses an office block (resembling a TV or microwave) which sits astride a carpark. Designed in the early 1960s by Bernard Joyce (1929 – 1994) of Bogle Banfield and Associates, it is home, or has been home to many prominent architects over the decades. Recent tenants include John Wardle, Peter Elliot, BKK, and Shane Murray.

Total House missed out on inclusion in the City of Melbourne’s study last year into 98 unprotected buildings deemed worthy of inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register.

AXF Group has recently been in the news for restarting its rejected proposal for an apartment tower in Box Hill, 33 storeys this time. You can see that golden wonder at The Urbanist.

If demolished, it will join Australia’s first multi-storey carpark, which was just up the street, in carpark heaven.

National Trust Listing
Walking Melbourne listing
Domain, September 10th, 2011
Earlier commentary on MHA Facebook
Tip: RS

Posted by Peter on 15.08.12 in buildings and heritage