Or call it Divorcelands or Cocklands. No one can say it has been a successful development. It is barren, windswept and soulless. Admittedly the figures are a couple of years old, but by water meter records, there are many empty apartments in the high rise apartment towers.
A tram destination says Waterfront City. It is a shopping centre with some shops selling seconds from major brands. The big wheel that gave a terrific view of a railway docks area fell apart and closed. It was rebuilt but it has closed again as no one is fond of the view of railway yards. Many shops are empty. The food outlets are very ordinary. Lively? Not, no matter how much is spent on things to attract crowds such as ice rinks, art displays, performances, a Sunday Market and fireworks.
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I caught a Collins Street tram to the nearby Victoria Harbour, still part of the Docklands development and while it was a bit quiet, this newer part had a much better feel to it for me. It made good connections to the river. I told R about it and he would like to see for himself.
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I agree the area is a work in progress. While you were there, did you visit the Library at the Dock? It’s the star of the show. It’s an excellent space with amazing views and it has a 5 star environmental rating.
ReplyDeleteI have visited in the past and it seemed good and very high tech library, and very popular with the local Indian born community.
DeleteIt is a wreck. I can never get a parking there either. The place reeks despair.
ReplyDeleteLol Roentare. You take your car there. How much does the parking cost? I know it is a lot.
DeleteYour city is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteIt is to me Sandra and I am pleased you find it to be.
DeleteVisited by Yorkshire Pudding Wednesday February 8th and approved for public consumption. By order.
ReplyDeleteI have a half written post about sex, YP. I wonder if that will approved.
DeleteDefinitely not you dirty scoundrel!
DeleteNone of it looks very nice to me. Maybe if I saw it in person, but that's not happening.
ReplyDeleteRiver, I think places need to grow slowly and form character as the city area did rather than be built as a homogenous development
ReplyDeleteIt does look a bit desolate but then I remember when Canarg Wharf was being developed and I just couldn't see it becoming an area you would want to visit unless you worked there. Now with so many people living there it feels completely different and seems to be much more aiive. I supposeit just takes timefor these areas to develop their own character.
ReplyDeleteMarie, something has to happen there. It is not like authorities aren't trying but it feels like just that. They are trying but it's been perhaps fifteen or twenty years since the development began.
DeleteCertainly doesn't look appealing, what a shame but can understand that the view isn't the best. I suppose what is asked for the rooms in the buildings are too expensive to purchase as well...such a pity, wonderful if the price was brought down, would that make a difference to this white elephant place.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, like owners of shops who won't reduce rents to get a tenant, the developers won't reduce prices for prospective buyers, but they do throw in incentives. White Elephant is a good phrase.
DeleteAs it's a work in progress, only time will tell if it mellows into something desirable. All new construction needs to have the corners rubbed off!
ReplyDeleteJabblog, I just checked and the first housing was built there in 2000. That's 23 years ago now. I think it is just a bad development and I hope the same mistake is not made elsewhere.
DeleteWhat a terrible shame. Normally people would love to live their empty-nester years opposite water, be it beach fronts or rivers or ports. In 2000, I would have bought there in a heart beat. Perhaps my clever spouse saw something about the development that I did not.
ReplyDeleteWise spouse indeed Hels. Look, if you have spacious apartment with nice views of the water, maybe no so bad. You would not want to pay too much for it though.
DeleteWhat is that very thin end building? Photo right before the sewage pump out for boats photo?
ReplyDeleteStrayer, the building is Melbourne's answer to New York's flatiron building. I've no idea of its usage, but probably offices.
DeleteNot all developers ideas, are good ideas.
ReplyDeleteTP, somewhat of an understatement.
DeleteThe idea of empty apartment buildings is mind boggling to me. Do they need to lower the rents? I have questions,so many questions. It just wouldn't happen here.
ReplyDeleteDebby, there is some kind of economic equation happening here. It is more profitable in the big picture to have the properties empty than reduce the rent. The same is happening with empty shops in strip shopping centres, even shopping centre malls.
DeleteIt's strange that Docklands never took off, as it's in a nice area, by the river, near the city... it's strange. It doesn't look as if Melbourne has a lack of rentals like in Perth if the apartments are standing empty!
ReplyDeleteSami, we do have a severe lack of rentals for families who want houses or even just suburban flats but I don't believe there is shortage at Docklands. It's just been so poorly planned.
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