Ground Floor 55 Stewart St Richmond VIC 3121

Notice of objection:
I am very concerned by the proposed height of this building and its impact on the local environment.
My interest in the area dates from some 25 years ago when I was one of the original purchasers in the De Campo subdivision and my family has since taken up residence in that unit in Wangaratta St.
At the time of our purchase the immediate area was something of a slum and when we occasionally went there, Swan St was a wasteland.
Now there are families, kids and dogs, and interesting businesses small and large.
Swan St is great, the neighbourhood has lots of charm.
I can see the appeal of the area for office accommodation, however not for a 10 storey building that is so clearly out of scale for the neighbourhood.
I am familiar with the Kayser and AKM buildings but these pre-date recent developments and have been renovated, not destroyed, and are part of local history.
Four or five levels should be the maximum height above ground in this area.
If this development goes ahead as proposed, more very tall buildings will follow and an interesting curving street will become yet another canyon, like in South Yarra.
Also:
* Set-backs work in some settings, but are irrelevant when the building is double or more the height of others in the row.
* More floors means more traffic in an area where streets are small and narrow and parking is very limited, now a danger to local residents.
* Enlarging the pocket park would be great, as it’s the only public space in the whole area where kids can play and people socialise - it could be made very attractive.