CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a ‘‘Lego’’ inspired tower at St Kilda Junction have been abandoned and developers have put the site up for sale only weeks after building was approved.
The proposal was for an 18-storey, Lego-like multi-coloured apartment building.
Port Phillip council initially rejected plans, but the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal overturned the decision and approved the Pace Development Group’s proposal in August.
Pace sales and marketing manager Daryl Wilkinson said the group was selling to focus on smaller developments.
“The new policy of Pace Development Group is to focus on boutique projects,” he said.
Pace will sell the land and the permit for an 18-storey building for an estimated $9 million. The land was bought in mid-2011 for $7.5 million.
More than 70 residents objected to the original proposal, which is in a low-density area.
Residents from the Junction Area Action Group lobbied council to reject the development.
JAAG member Mike Sabey said his group was pleased the plans were abandoned, but was unhappy about the existing permit.
“We’re concerned that an inappropriate development will be erected,” he said.
Commercial real estate group CBRE will deal with the sale of the site on behalf of Pace.
Associate director Mark Wizel said developers from Malaysia and China had shown strong interest.