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Message TO: Minister for Planning, Lord Mayor of Melbourne The Windsor Hotel, well known as the ‘Duchess of Spring Street’, is a treasured landmark and justly recognised as Melbourne’s pre-eminent historic hotel. While I acknowledge that it is in need of a major upgrade, I do not accept that the demolition of a significant proportion of the hotel and construction of a new tower is the only way to give the Windsor a viable future. Historic hotels around the world have adapted to the 21st century without the need for extensive demolition and addition of large towers. Furthermore, the Bourke Hill precinct is a carefully conserved low-scale historic precinct. The new tower well over the height limit would undermine 27 years of successful city planning. An investment in the historic and architecturally significant Windsor hotel is welcome to ensure a viable future for it as a luxury hotel. However, this proposal involves the demolition of most of the rear and one side wing of the original hotel. Such a level of demolition could only be justified on the basis of an acceptable replacement. A 27 storey tower is not acceptable. I appreciate that the architects have developed an architectural solution that is as visually light as possible. The innovative wavy all-glass wall moderated with white ‘fritting’ creates something more akin to sculpture than a standard high rise building. However, as a pair, the proposed tower and corner building would dominate what would be left of the historic Windsor hotel. I am also concerned that the tower is well over the 23m height limit for the area, creating a dangerous precedent. The height limit and heritage controls in the Bourke Hill precinct, in place since 1982, have served the city very well, preserving the smaller historic buildings and the low scale context that the Parliament House, Windsor Hotel and Princess Theatre warrant, whilst still facilitating an active business and recreational district. I will not mourn the loss of the 1961 corner building. I consider that the contemporary façade treatment and the setback from the side of the hotel will not be detrimental to the heritage values of the hotel or the precinct. However I believe that the height is a great concern, as it two levels higher than the existing (above the main cornice line of the hotel) and it should therefore be reduced by two levels. I urge you not to permit the development in its current form. Yours, *

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