As the Espy continues to moulder with an uncertain future and developers tighten their clutches on the Melbourne live music scene, St. Kilda News reports the area that once gave birth to Melbourne’s punk rock scene has lost another iconic venue.
According to the outlet, a developer is looking to demolish the famous Greyhound Hotel in order to erect an eight-storey building that will comprise five shops, 43 apartments, and 61 basement car park spaces.
However, the move has caused uproar amongst local residents and lovers of the Greyhound. In recent years, St Kilda has been losing its character to demolition and the development of low quality, high mass apartment dwellings,” writes local business owner Caroline Thurling on Change.org.
Thurling has launched a petition to prevent the demolition of the Greyhound. “The Greyhound Hotel at 1 Brighton Rd, St Kilda is the latest target. Its heritage, architecture and colourful history is in grave danger of being replaced by an 8 storey apartment and commercial development,” she writes.
“The plans and designs for proposed development are at best hideous. It will be an eyesore and significantly devalue the streetscape experience and erase the identity of the local precinct.”
“Most importantly, The Greyhound Hotel is an iconic gateway into the village of St Kilda on Carlisle St. When you see the Greyhound you know you’ve reached St Kilda. Losing her, will mean losing an icon and much loved character in our community.”
According to St. Kilda News, Thurling will speak at Port Phillip Council’s Planning Meeting on Tuesday, 6th December and hopes to present her petition at the meeting. At the time of writing, the petition has amassed 413 signatures and is aiming for 500.
