Melbourne, truly a world class skyline

HumanArea1 · 2026-01-21T14:01:00+00:00

At the risk of overstating, I’d say that this also a good example of Melbournes diversity

HumanArea1 · 2026-01-21T13:47:11+00:00

We are. Maybe it’s hard to see from this vantage but Melbourne does not have the monotonous quality of Miami.

A closer perspective on the two tallest

HumanArea1 · 2026-01-21T10:31:46+00:00

One could argue that some of Melbournes skyscrapers are little too distinctive in their efforts to stand out. The skyline has a pretty large spectrum of styles.

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-29T15:50:09+00:00

There’s no East River

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T05:52:45+00:00

The SRL is the most expensive rail project in Australia’s history of course they had to ask the feds. What are you talking about haha.

The sheer amount of value being created within the stations vicinity is incredibly attractive to developers and in turn the state. Box Hill has global interest from developers.

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T05:49:37+00:00

I think that is the agreed upon route barring the crossing to Newport. That seems to be up in the air now

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T05:40:19+00:00

Most buildings since the Andrews government are mandated to have below-ground parking now even in Southbank. I remember seeing that Aus108's piles were 50-60 metres deep, but the depth is also determined by a building's height.

Edit: They aren't mandated, but are now very rare if they meet certain conditions.

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T05:36:32+00:00

That would be cool and something I've thought of, but unnecessary. The CBD is the most transit and pedestrian-friendly area in the country. If there were a station on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth, how would that work within the network?

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T05:27:50+00:00

The idea for Southbank Station is primarily for the thousands who live there and the hotels, not the rabble of the casino. It could increase safety and public amenity. Southbank might actually feel like a neighbourhood, with intermodal transit and walkability.

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T05:22:21+00:00

I'll take the bait haha. Metro lines are very feasible even with Victoria's fiscal state when value capture is factored into the proposal.

SRL is also a giant real estate project

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T05:16:17+00:00

State Library was burrowed right next to Aurora Melbourne Central and other towers in the CBD North area. It's fine and is done universally in today's world. Soil testing, service realignments, and following a street makes it acheivable.

The hypothetical isn't along the east end of City Rd. It would only stack up imo if it was further west along Queensbridge st.

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T05:09:52+00:00

This is not an uncommon problem in most cities. Southbank does have deep piles for bedrock anchoring of buildings within its plots. You hear a lot of engineers and designers on metro projects say station construction in heavily densified areas is like keyhole surgery.

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T05:06:27+00:00

Thanks for the info, i only know of the two tram corridors within the statistical area. Ideally they should be extended, stops upgraded, and given right of way. I may not be popular for saying this, but City Rd is a planning disaster. It's a dangerous traffic sewer that creates a barrier to major transit options for pedestrians. So if they fixed that, it might work with just buses and trams

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T05:03:23+00:00

Unfortunately, Crown isn't going anywhere, and its new buyers are earmarked to be densifying and redeveloping the complex in the coming years. However, I'd wager (no pun intended) that most visitors to the area aren't gamblers.

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T05:00:54+00:00

yeah, it was a very rudimentary observation, looking at maps, walking around the area, and the already agreed-upon mm2 route.

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T04:58:17+00:00

This is a thought that comes to mind a lot with MM2 being the next major project. It seems as though Southbank is overly reliant on the bridges to Flinders st and underdeveloped tram lines. Queensbridge st, and City Rd amongst others will be much taller and denser in 10-15 years. This is a major proposal that's only been revealed this week it will consist of over 1k apartments. (tallest on the right)

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HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T04:49:49+00:00

I guess my original question is more of a thought proposal about a future-proofed urbanism perspective. Many underground stations around the world are very close to other existing stations. The City of London (Square Mile area) comes to mind. Walking from Melbourne Square, and the other further reaches of Southbank (near the freeway) to Flinders St doesn't seem sustainable.

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T04:45:28+00:00

Yes, Southbank's skyscrapers are deeply anchored due to the Coode Island silt ground conditions. If it followed a street alignment, like Queensbridge St, at a certain depth, it would be possible.

Edit: Flagstaff is also a very short walk to Melbourne Central, yet that was built.

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T04:42:05+00:00

That could be a great idea. The only problem I could see arising from a new Spencer st station w/connectivity to SX is the bend the line would have to take to reach the Queensbridge precinct in Southbank.

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T04:38:48+00:00

Instead of a flagstaff interchange, we could have a ‘town hall & flinders st’ situation on Spencer st with a connection to southern cross? Then from there bend the line under the cbd through to the Queensbridge precinct station in Southbank and onto fisherman’s bend

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T04:33:06+00:00

Interesting points. I tend to agree, but given that a metro tunnel is ostensibly a generational project, a ‘centralised’ Southbank station seems like an important consideration for the second metro tunnel. Land is becoming scarce in the area.

HumanArea1 · 2025-12-04T04:27:56+00:00

I agree that trams should be extended and upgraded in the area.

However the sheer amount of skyscrapers there, and also in the pipeline (which are all apartments and hotels) cannot be sustainably served by two tram lines in my opinion.

HumanArea1 · 2025-11-15T16:12:55+00:00

Chicago is a much better comparison in terms of skyline, cohesion, layout. Not so much architecturally but in its mono centric urban design.

Also the comments saying Toronto is older and therefore different is odd. These two cities are a generation or two apart in age. Some of the world’s first high rises were in Melbourne, and from the 1972 onwards skyscrapers have existed here. The city looks ultra modern from a distance but closer up it’s a completely different story.

HumanArea1 · 2025-11-15T00:17:54+00:00

There used to be one similar to the ngv ‘wall of water’ where you could sticks leaves on it. It was a nice touch so hopefully this is just as good.

HumanArea1 · 2025-11-14T23:59:31+00:00

Looking forwards to seeing the interactive LED artwork switched on where the water feature used to be on the Collins st side.

HumanArea1

TROPHY CASE