Edgewater Towers

Edgewater Towers is a high rise apartment block located in Melbourne, Australia. The building, completed in 1961, was Melbourne's first, privately developed high rise apartment block[1] and the tallest in Victoria until Robin Boyd's Domain Park Flats was completed in 1962. The building was designed by émigré architect Mordechai Benshemesh who designed many multi-storey buildings in St Kilda, Victoria and Elwood, Victoria.[2] Edgewater Towers is considered to be Benshemesh's most iconic design.[3]

Photo taken from Brooks Jetty 2011

History
Edgewater Towers St Kilda in 1962, photograph by Lyle Fowler

Edgewater Towers was the brainchild of property developer Bruce Small, of Malvern Star Bicycles fame, and later Mayor for Gold Coast, Queensland. The project was conceived as "own your own" luxury housing and marketed as "sophisticated living with beautiful views".[4] It was designed in 1959-60[5] and constructed in 1960-61. The project ran into financial difficulties and construction stopped after the lower floors were completed. It was sold for £500,000[6] and construction then resumed. A restaurant and lounge bar, which had been planned for the roof, did not eventuate.[7] Edgewater Towers was opened on 4 March 1961 by Sir Horace Petty,[8] the Minister for Housing (Victoria) and Immigration, who was an advocate for high density housing. The building is included in the City of Port Phillip's Heritage Review, which lists its significance as being "the first of St Kilda's residential high rise developments". The review also states "It still plays an important symbolic role in the perception of St Kilda's character and imagery". "Standing somewhat like a towering section of a stranded ocean liner, it announces St Kilda's uniquely nautical cosmopolitan zone at its southern approaches".[9] "Thirteen storeys high, with great views across the bay, Edgewater Towers was a confident expression of progress and, after a period of neglect, has re-emerged as an iconic expression of Melbourne post-war modernism".[3]

Fire life safety

The changing fire life safety requirements for high rise flats caused Edgewater Towers to be treated as a test case for fire life safety and Edgewater Towers was required to install an improved fire life safety system by the Port Phillip Council in the late 1980s.[10][11] The Port Phillip Council required Edgewater Towers to have a further fire life safety upgrade in 2002[12] and was subsequently fitted with a fire sprinkler protection system and fully addressable automatic fire detection and alarm system between 2005 and 2008, and certified complete 2014. The earlier fire life safety upgrade between 1989 and 1995 included fire hose reels, a smoke and heat detection system, enclosure of the previously open West stairwell, sealing of floor penetrations, closure of the mail chute, emergency and exit lighting, removal of glazed timber doors in the corridors, modifications to both stairs to discharge directly to outdoors, fire rated doors, fire rated enclosed balcony ends and blocking up corridor clerestory glazing to each flat to achieve the necessary 1-hour fire-resistance rating.[13] The sprinkler fire protection system was activated in August 2013, when a fire started on a balcony on the 11th. floor. The Age newspaper carried the story.[14] Edgewater Towers has an Essential Safety Measures, Certificate of Final Inspection dated 14 July 2014 displayed in the lobby.[15]

Concrete remediation

As an early high rise concrete building in a marine environment, Edgewater Towers suffered concrete degradation in the 75 mm thin[16] balcony upstands, where the steel reinforcement bars were not provided with adequate protective concrete cover which require periodic repairs.[17] The building had concrete remediation in 1995 followed by repainting. The most recent concrete remediation was completed in 2011 and then repainted white. Edgewater Towers has always been painted white, though the original sales brochure shows it differently.[18] Whilst the structural integrity of the building was not affected, the façade of the building was disfigured by the gaps where concrete had spalled from various balconies.[19][20] The most recent concrete remediation was managed by Aurecon.[21]

Building interiors

The two bed flats were originally separated from one bed flats with glazed timber doors at the ends of the 6 feet (1.8 m) wide corridors. The doors were removed in a fire life safety upgrade except the original 12AB Penthouse apartment which remains. The wide corridors were originally painted bright reds, oranges and yellow, and the lobby bright green. Ends of the corridors were originally patterned wall paper. The original carpet was black and white with purple flecks. The early residents apparently disliked the bright 1960s colours and they were repainted in neutral tones as today.[22] The corridors were originally lit using borrowed daylight from clerestory windows to each flat. At nighttime the corridors were lit with fluorescent tube fittings at right angle to the corridor which is unconventional and these have been replaced with energy efficient light-emitting diode (LED) fittings in the same unconventional arrangement in 2013. Originally each flat was fitted with a decorative screen door of wrought iron scrolls and these were replaced with security screen doors when each flat was fitted with a fire rated door in the 90s fire life safety upgrade. Originally Edgewater Towers' residents had use of two common area laundries on each floor (24 total), each fitted with automatic washing machine, clothes dryer, sink, drying cupboard, instantaneous hot water heater and incinerator chute. Currently there are 6 working laundries and the remaining 18 converted to bike storage (55 bikes). One of the original two incinerator chutes remains in use as the garbage disposal chute. Edgewater Towers has had an interior renovation 2010-14.

Flats

A, B, G and H flats are two bedroom, two balcony (approx. 82.7 m2; C and F flats are one bedroom, three balcony (approx. 60.3 m2); D and E flats are one bedroom, two balcony (approx. 56.7 m2).[23] The 12AB Penthouse was a pair of two bedroom flats with a layout of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, dining, living room and wet bar.[24] Original Edgewater Towers' flat prices ranged from GB£5,625 (one bedroom ground floor) up to GB£8,830 (two bedroom twelfth floor).[25] The original quarterly service charge was GB£19/10/-.[26] It took over two years after opening to complete sales of the flats.[27] Each flat included "entry hall", "king-size lounge rooms", "large bedrooms", "kitchens with ever-changing panoramic views" and "comfortable dinettes". "You're whisked to your soundproof flat in automatic express lifts" (two independent lifts).[18] The original architect's ground floor plan drawing notes Lounge flooring as 'parquetry' and bedroom flooring as 'cork tile' [28] though they were never installed and all flats were grey carpet.[22] Floor to ceiling height is 2.55 metres (8 feet 4 inches). Ceilings are acoustically treated with "sound-deadening Vermiculite".[29] Clerestory glazing above each internal doorway and the bathroom for borrowed daylight. Bathrooms were originally grey or grey/pink ceramic tiles and kitchens cream vinyl tile. Enclosure of open balconies started in the 1960s. Each balcony enclosure had a unique design until standard designs were adopted in 1995.[30] A City of Port Phillip Planning permit and Edgewater Service Ltd Board approval is required. Owners are individually responsible for the maintenance and replacement of balcony enclosures.

Description

The "L" shaped site area is 3,329 m2 with 27 m frontage to Marine Parade and 40 m to Spenser Street. Overall building dimensions of 46 x 13 x 44 m high.

The building originally contained 100 flats with shops, a restaurant and offices on the ground floor. Each floor contained four one bedroom and four two bedroom flats. The ground floor restaurant "The Reef" (which had a nautical theme with fishing nets and other nautical paraphernalia) and later a milk bar with counter and café seating,[31] until the early 80s was converted to a three bedroom flat in the mid-1980s. A Kiosk planned for the lobby was never operated as one and was converted for bike storage (24 bikes) in the mid-1990s. The lobby is elevated[32] to capture the bay and park views and features cantilevered roof canopies above both entrances, clerestory windows above a curved wall of Castlemaine slate, terrazzo flooring and columns of blue and pink mosaic glass tiles.

Copper mail boxes are original (Originally external, relocated inside shortly after Edgewater opened and integrated into the recycled timber screen in 2012). Many original features of the building such as the curved privacy screen before the two public restroom doors, resident directory board (black felt with white plastic letters), rockery planter with green plastic curtain/screen, open West stairwell, corridor clerestory glazing for borrowed daylight and mail chute were removed or closed off during fire life safety upgrades. The original very heavy swinging glass and timber entrance doors were replaced with aluminium framed glazing and automatic sliding doors in 2014.

The original architect's ground floor plan drawing[28] notes entrance doors as 'Aluminium Frame' though they were never installed. When opened Edgewater Towers was fitted with two waste incinerators as there was no managed garbage truck collection in place at the time.[33] The incinerators were removed in a fire life safety upgrade and are now stairwell fire exit paths direct to outside.

Facing Marine Parade, the building originally had a large illuminated fluorescent white plastic sign "Edgewater Towers" in red gothic script (Blackletter) until it was brought down by a storm in 1988.[34] There is parking on grade for 95 cars at the east end of the building including 12 undercover car ports; the maximum covered area allowed to maintain the required minimum 28 m2 of open space per flat.[35] The original plans for the building were lost when fire gutted the St Kilda Town Hall and partial plans are stored in the State Library of Victoria.[36]

Construction, management & Title

The structure is of a cast in place reinforced concrete flat slab 150 mm thick construction founded on Franki piles to a depth of approximately 9 m. The building contractor was "proud to have secured this large contract, and their whole organisation are keen to add this building to their already impressive record of achievements in multi-storey structures".[37] The building contractor required "the importation of the most modern climbing crane in Australia currently being used on the Edgewater Towers project".[38] The crane was a Liebherr type manufactured partly in Germany and partly in Ireland.[39]

Edgewater Towers is Strata Title. Edgewater Towers was built before the Strata Title Act (1967) and was originally Stratum Title with a 'Certificate of Title' to each flat. This is different to Company Share Title. The owner (or Body Corporate vehicle) was Edgewater Service Ltd (ESL), (ABN 66 004 514 596). The ESL Board of Directors (voluntary and unpaid positions) administered the building, regulated by Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Following an EGM in late 2019[40] it was resolved to convert to the more common Owners Corporation which completed June 2020 and Edgewater Towers is now Strata Title, regulated by Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Gardens

Edgewater Towers originally had a garden open to Marine Parade which included very limited planting, extensive pebble and decorative concrete screen block walls (Besser block).[41] The gardens were reviewed and redesigned to incorporate DDA access by Phil Tulk, Heritage Landscape Consultant and replanted in 2012. No original 60s plantings remain. The front patio, strip and pocket gardens are planted with indigenous species of the St Kilda area including: Allocasuarina littoralis (Black Sheoke), Pomaderris paniculosa ssp. Parilia (Shining Dogwood), Atriplex cinerea (Coast salt bush), Correa alba (White correa), Lasiopetalum baueri (Slender velvet bush), Correa reflexa (Native fuchsia), Leucophyta brownii (Pincushion bush), Dianella brevicaulis (Small flower flax lily), Goodenia ovata prostrate form (Hop Goodenia) and a Banksia. The Willow Myrtle 'Agonis' was planted in the 70s by longtime resident building manager (1969-1988 Approx.) Johannes (Jonas) LeFerink. The 'Avenue' of deciduous trees to the South is Ulmus parvifolia 'Burnley Select' (non-fruiting Chinese Elm) and the hedge is Raphiolepis Snow Maiden.[42] In 2013 the car park was upgraded and planted with a 'Grove' of Ulmus parvifolia 'Burnley Select' (non-fruiting Chinese Elm) and there is a small herb garden.

Rooftop terrace

"The employment of flat roofs served as a considerable influence in the mid-century developments that populated Melbourne, where the roof became part of the recreational space available to tenants or a replication of the ground plane for the placement of services and other amenities".[43]

Edgewater Towers residents have access to rooftop terrace (building), originally marketed as "ideal for sunbathing or showing the panoramic views to your friends".[44] The original steel rooftop balustrade was replaced with a chain-link one located on the outer perimeter in the 90's concrete remediation and installation of a rooftop building maintenance unit. The defunct building maintenance unit was removed in 2013 and a new compliant galvanized steel balustrade reinstated inboard of the perimeter (similar in appearance and location to original) in 2015. The 1.5mm thick butyl rubber waterproof roof membrane was completed in 2017. The original rooftop had access to the amazing panoramic views but no real amenity with unsightly equipment and piping exposed, possibly due to the original developer running short of money towards the end of the construction.

A modest rooftop upgrade design was granted planning permission by City Port Phillip in February 2016.[45] The rooftop terrace (43m x 9m) was upgraded with equipment screening, fixed tables and bench seating, electric BBQ facilities (4No.) and fixed shade canopy overhangs. An accessible raised concrete paver and adjustable pedestal flooring system eliminated nuisance trip hazards and protects the Butynol rubber waterproof membrane. A Building Surveyor requirement of granting the Construction Permit[46] was to demonstrate the structural adequacy of the existing concrete roof slab. This necessitated a structural load test using a temporary swimming pool filled with a depth of water to simulate the correct structural loading and by measuring the deflection and return of the concrete slab.[47] Following almost a decade of closure to residents, the rooftop terrace was completed in May 2018[48] and reopened to residents providing a fabulous communal space.

Notable residents

One Edgewater Towers' resident was cyclist and politician Sir Hubert Opperman and Lady Mavys Opperman. Opperman had the pair of Edgewater Towers flats since 1961[49] and his main residence was in his electorate of Corio, Victoria in Geelong until July 1967 when he became the Australian High Commissioner in Malta. Opperman retired from this overseas position in September 1972 and Edgewater Towers became his main residence. In December 1972 when Gough Whitlam led the Labour Party to victory, ending twenty three years of Conservative leadership Opperman quipped to John Menzies that he and Mavys had made their flat ‘fit for retired people to sulk in when they read of Whitlam's wicked political progress’.[50] Both lived at Edgewater Towers until 1985. Other residents include:

  • Dora Nolan, the mother of the artist, Sidney Nolan. His sister Lorna Gosling (née Nolan) and brother-in-law also lived at Edgewater and owned and operated the restaurant for a period.
  • Dr Bertram Wainer, the anti-corruption campaigner, who successfully campaigned to legalise abortion in Victoria.[51][52]
  • Max Merritt, leader of the group Max Merritt and the Meteors.
  • Sir Gilbert Dyett, veteran of Gallipoli, President of the Returned and Services League of Australia, and secretary of the Victorian Trotting and Racing Association. His name is listed at 12 Marine Parade in the 1963 Sands & McDougal Directory. He may have lived at Edgewater towards the end of his life (died 1964) or he may have rented his flat to ex-serviceman for a low rent as he was doing with other properties in Brighton.
  • Brian Dixon, a prominent Australian Rules footballer who played for Melbourne in five premierships. He went on to represent the state seat of St Kilda as a Liberal, and became a minister in the Hamer Ministry. He was responsible for starting the 1975 "Life. Be in it." program.
  • Stanley Leighton (businessman), founder of Leighton Holdings in 1949 and by 1962 Leighton Contractors Limited had been formed and floated as a listed company on the Melbourne Stock Exchange, now the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Leighton Holdings later renamed CIMIC Group. Stanley knew Bruce Small and invested in a number of Edgewater flats. The Leighton family resided in the original 12AB Penthouse apartment from the time Edgewater opened which was later sub-divided to two 2 bedroom flats.
  • Josef Ganz, Editor in Chief of Motor-Kritik magazine until 1934. He developed a prototype small people's car at the German car and motorcycle manufacturer, Adler (automobile).
  • Mario Bulfone, professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Mario Milano.
  • Ron Hutchinson, International Jockey and winner 2,000 Guineas Stakes on Martial (horse) in 1960, 1,000 Guineas Stakes on Full Dress and St. Leger Stakes on Intermezzo (horse) in 1969. Also his son, Peter Hutchinson and 1993 Caulfield Cup winner on Fraar.
  • Jim Johnson (jockey), Three times Melbourne Cup winner on Gatum Gatum in 1963 and Rain Lover in 1968 and 1969.
  • Anne Scott Pendlebury, television and film actress.
  • Ian Morrey, International hairstylist (multiple Australian and World Hairdresser of the year) opened his first hairdressing salon in a flat on the ground floor.[53]

It is an urban myth that Mary Hardy (comedian) radio and television personality committed suicide in Edgewater Towers. She lived on Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park, Victoria in a smaller brick and white high rise.

Heritage Recognition

Heritage Recognition Plaque: Edgewater Towers was honored with a City of Port Phillip Heritage Recognition Plaque. It was unveiled 23 September 2017 by Councillor David Brand with a short ceremony. A Dutch film crew were present making a documentary film "Ganz - How I Lost My Beetle" directed by Suzanne Raes and filmed by Paul Schilperoord, Author of "The Extraordinary Life of Josef Ganz The Jewish Engineer Behind Hitler's Volkswagen".

Edgewater Towers has been included for its architectural, social and cultural significance. The building is significant in the architectural development of St Kilda and of Melbourne post-WW2; and also for the diverse residents, famous and otherwise, across all areas of life, who have lived there.[54]

Edgewater Towers Heritage Recognition Plaque wording: Designed by architect Mordechai Benshemesh and built in 1961, Edgewater Towers was Melbourne's first privately developed high rise apartment block. It's multi-storey slab construction and international style promised Melburnian's sophisticated living with a beautiful view. Noted residents include Josef Ganz, the Jewish automotive engineer who was the originator of the Volkswagen. After fleeing Germany during World War 11, he emigrated to Australia and worked for General Motors Holden. Sir Hubert 'Oppy' Opperman, renowned cyclist and Politician also lived here for almost 30 years.

Heritage Significance: City Port Phillip have proposed to commence the process to amend the Port Phillip Planning Scheme.[55] Edgewater Towers is proposed to be included in a new Heritage Overlay (HO510) and the property identified as a place of individual heritage significance.[56]

What is significant? It is a thirteen-story apartment block in the International Style. It is completely stripped of ornamentation and decoration, and is characterised by rectilinear forms and the use of glass with reinforced concrete surfaces painted plain white. The projecting front and side balconies provide a nod to the bayside location, particularly in trying to secure views for the apartments not located at the front.

How is it significant? ‘Edgewater Towers’ at 12 Marine Parade, St Kilda is of local historic, architectural and aesthetic significance to the City of Port Phillip.

Why is it significant? ‘Edgewater Towers’ is significant as one of the first large scale ‘high rise’ apartment buildings in Port Phillip and Melbourne. It introduced a new concept of luxury ‘own your own’ apartment living that encouraged the building of similar apartment blocks in St Kilda and South Melbourne over the following decades, and forms part of an extraordinary collection of flats in St Kilda that demonstrate the history of flat building in Melbourne during the twentieth century. It was the first high-rise apartment design by Mordechai Benshemesh and is said to have secured his reputation as a leading designer of high-density residential developments in Melbourne.[56]

"Edgewater Towers Regeneration" project was shortlisted under the Heritage category in the City of Port Phillip Design & Development Awards 2020, as an example of good design, thoughtful development and contribution to the vibrancy of Port Phillip.[57]

In the media

Edgewater Towers features on the cover of Foundations Magazine: the journal of architecture, engineering and building, Edition No. 5 in 1960. It included a 'Special Report' on Redevelopment and Flat Construction in Melbourne with an interview with the Minister for Housing (Victoria) (the Hon. H.R. Petty M.L.A.) and an article on "Edgewater Towers" with typical and ground floor architectural plans dated 6 May 1960.[58]

An earlier image of Edgewater Towers together with floor plans appeared in Property writer Harry Perrot's column for the Herald Sun 5 February 1960.[59]

A photo of the architectural model of Edgewater Towers can be seen in The Age Newspaper 4 November 1960.[60]

A full page advertisement and image of Edgewater Towers by Alexandra Advertising for Nichols & Borrow Pty Ltd can be seen in The Age Newspaper, 4 November 1960.[61]

Edgewater Towers featured in Homicide (Australian TV series) - Episode 9 (1964) ‘The Silent Witness’. "When an attractive young girl is murdered, it doesn't take long for Homicide detectives to identify her killer (Adrian Fox at Edgewater Towers) but they have a tense time gathering sufficient evidence to bring him to trial, aware that before they can complete their case he may kill again".[62]

Edgewater Towers featured in Homicide (Australian TV series) - Episode 24 (1965) 'Ladies Man'. "When con man Hal Dunstan (of Edgewater Towers) gets over-confident, a chance encounter with a prowler in a graveyard triggers off more than he can cope with".[63]

Edgewater Towers was "one of the dozens of images included in '45 Storeys', an exhibition of 45 Melbourne Jewish architects" in 1995.[64]

Edgewater Towers can be seen in the 1996 music video "How to make gravy" by Paul Kelly (Australian musician).

Edgewater Towers featured in 'Dangerous Remedy' (2012). "Set in 1969 Melbourne, Dangerous Remedy tells the fascinating story of Dr Bertram Wainer who put his life at risk to expose police corruption in an effort to change the law on abortion".[65]

Edgewater Towers featured in 'Abortion, Corruption and Cops: The Bertram Wainer Story' (2005).

Edgewater Towers photographed in September 1962 by photographic artist Lyle Fowler is held by State Library Victoria.[66]

Edgewater Towers appears in the photos of 'St Kilda Life Savers' 1968 and 'Women's Business' 1986 by photographic artist Rennie Ellis.

The St Kilda Marina immediately South of Edgewater Towers wasn't constructed until 1969.[67] Edgewater Towers appears in the photos of 'St Kilda Marina Lighting' 1969[68] and 'Mr Hans Tholstrup drives "Tom Thumb" into St Kilda Marina' 1971.[69]

Sir Hubert Opperman was interviewed by journalist Mel Pratt at his office in Edgewater Towers on 4 March 1975 for the Oral History Programme for the National Library of Australia.[70]

Dora Irene Nolan (Mother of Artist Sidney Nolan) was photographed by Maggie Diaz at Edgewater Towers in 1977.[71]

Edgewater Towers' Architect Mordechai Benshemesh once debated the merits of multi-storey flats on radio with other prominent Architects of the time Harry Seidler and Neville Gruzman, and Dick Dusseldorp, founder of Civil & Civic and later Chairman of Lend Lease Group, the transcript of which was published in Foundations Magazine the month after Edgewater Towers opened.[72]

Edgewater Towers painted by artist Garry Pumfrey is published in the book The Art Of Being Melbourne, "Edgewater Towers becomes much more than an apartment block: it looms over the beachfront like a bleached carapace, twinkling with opportunistic nesting life forms".[73]

Edgewater Towers was invited to "Open" for public access as part of Open House Melbourne 28 July 2012, 27 July 2013, 25 July 2015, 30 July 2016, 29 July 2017, 28 July 2018 and 27 July 2019.

"In the 1987 film 'A Matter of Convenience'..... Beach scenes were filmed opposite 'Edgewater Towers'.....".[74]

Allan Zavod, pianist, composer, jazz musician and occasional conductor whose career has mainly been in America was photographed precariously on the rooftop of Edgewater Towers in 1987.[75]

Edgewater Towers is included in the Footpath Guide, Melbourne St Kilda 1850-1960 Architectural Walking Tour.[76]

Edgewater Towers features in the Age newspaper article "St Kilda engineer given credit for Volkswagen".[77]

Edgewater Towers features in the exhibition of post-war Modernist architecture in Melbourne "Excavating Modernism" along with other buildings designed by architect Mordechai Benshemesh, together with works by Ernest Fooks, Kurt Popper and Herbert Tisher. "These architects contributed to the socio-cultural landscape and Melbourne's development at the time, particularly in the south-eastern suburbs".[78]

Edgewater Towers features in the documentary "Ganz: How I Lost My Beetle". "Josef Ganz attempts to revolutionise society by partnering with Adolph Hitler to introduce the car to everyday people. As Hitler gains power, he turned on Ganz and threatens his life, forcing him to flee".[79]

Edgewater Towers is included in the Guide to Historic St Kilda.[80]

Edgewater Towers can not be seen in Stanley Kramer's movie On the Beach (1959 film) set in 1964 Melbourne as it was not constructed when the movie was filmed in 1959.[81]

Location
Edgewater Towers, view along Marine Parade from the north

Edgewater Towers is located at 12, Marine Parade (Beach Road, Melbourne), St Kilda, Victoria between Marine Parade, Brooks Beach and Spenser Street, Peanut Farm Reserve. The stone wall running the length of Brooks Beach between Marina Reserve and Brooks Jetty is of the time of the original development and features prominently in the original sales advertising from 1960/61 and can be seen in Lyle Fowler's 1962 photo. The following are extracts from the original sales brochure which described Edgewater Towers as a "Location for better living".

"Relaxation at your door - The beach is at your West door, the park at your East door, and the romantic views of the bay are as lovely by night as they are by day. Nearby are - Swimming (Bathing Pavilion is now a restaurant), Beach, Lifesaving Club, Children's Playgrounds, Bowling Club (Now the Veg Out Community Gardens), Sports Oval, Parks and Yachting (Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron)."

"Entertainment within 600 yards - You can enjoy outdoor living on either of your own two private patios, and a few yards away are - Palais de Danse, St Kilda, 3 min. (Now the site of a public car park); Earls Court Ballroom, 4 min. (Now the site of Public Housing accommodation for elderly people); Luna Park, Melbourne 2 min; South Pacific St Kilda Sea Baths, 4 min; Palais Picture Theatre, 3 min. (Now the Palais Theatre music venue); Victory Picture Theatre, 5 min. (Now the National Theatre, Melbourne a performing arts venue); St. Moritz Ice Rink, 5 min. (Now the site of the Novotel Hotel) and Health Studios". "Shopping facilities only 200 yards - Besides your Kiosk and Restaurant on the premises nearby are - Coles store, Banks, Market, Chinese and European Restaurants, Post Office and Acland Street, Melbourne shopping".

"You're close to the cosmopolitan Hotels and Restaurants of Fitzroy Street, Melbourne and Acland St. - Close at hand are - Village Belle Hotel, 3 min; Beaconsfield Hotel, 8 min. (Now closed); Esplanade Hotel (Melbourne) 6 min. and Prince of Wales Hotel, 7 min."

"All Public Transport is within 200 yards - Edgewater Towers is the perfect location for living - City via St. Kilda Road, Melbourne Tram; City via St Kilda railway station, bus and train (now the Melbourne tram route 96 light rail); Brighton, Victoria by bus; Port Melbourne, Victoria by bus; Elwood, Victoria, Pt. Ormond by bus; Kew, Victoria via Malvern, Victoria and Hawthorn, Victoria tram; Clifton Hill, Victoria via Punt Rd. bus and Richmond, Victoria via Chapel Street, Melbourne Tram".

"Only minutes in your car from Toorak Road's smart 'Supper Strip'. The City lies a few minutes drive along St Kilda Road, Melbourne".

Bauhaus influence

"For Benshemesh, it becomes apparent the influence that his time in Tel Aviv studying architecture had on his practice in Melbourne. Known for its extensive influence of the Bauhaus (the German Art School from 1919-1933 that combined crafts and fine arts and informed designers, architects, artists and craftspeople worldwide), Tel Aviv features over 4,000 modernist style buildings built between 1920 and 1940. Within the construction of these buildings was a new dynamic, that of urban densification unseen of at the time: over 4,000 people per square kilometer, which presented itself programmatic and social challenges. These challenges, such as the treatment of interstitial spaces such as the thresholds between public and private, began to manifest in the role of the balcony and vegetated space in the development of these apartment buildings. Here, we see that this social condition is carried over the antip-odean environment Benshemesh ended up in. Whilst Benshemesh was known amongst friends and colleagues to have preferred working on high-rise constructions and not on private house commissions, this doesn't mean there wasn't still consideration of the end-user as an individual as opposed to a collective. It is for this reason that there was consternation in the Benshemesh camp about Edgewater Towers, perhaps his most note-worthy work, on the St Kilda shoreline, when residents starting enclosing their balconies with glazing, thus revising the connection of this threshold space with their neighbours, the environment, and the context".[43]

American influence

Robin Boyd's colourful take on Australian architecture and suburban life in 1960 "The Australian Ugliness" included a concept of American influence in Australia as "Austerica". "Austerica is on no map. It is, an Austerican advertisement would say, not a place but a way of life".[82]

1960 advertising material described Edgewater Towers as: "Melbourne's newest exclusive American inspired home unit project presents the most imaginative design with convenience, comfort and luxury of the largest home".[83] "Manhattan living comes to Melbourne".[84] "everything you'd find in a luxury Manhattan building is yours only minutes from Collins Street, Melbourne"[85]

Philip Goad writes "this white, generously glazed slab seems more akin to 1950s Miami Beach, Florida, than New York City".[86]

Edgewater Towers developer "Bruce Small visited Miami, USA, in 1958.....he studied the great land reclamation projects in which the area (Everglades) abounded. His imaginative mind was seized with the parallel that existed on Queensland's own Gold Coast - Land awaiting development at the hands of a bold and enterprising builder.....Bruce Small".[87]

In November 1960 Bruce Small sold the Edgewater Towers project during construction to Nichols and Borrow Finance and Development Corporation Ltd. of Sydney. "Bruce Small.....had recently bought the property Questa on the corner of Robe St. and the Esplanade near Earls Court....plans are being prepared for an American-type motor-hotel (Motel) with 250 units estimated to cost £600,000. Bruce Small said his organisation hoped to get approval to build to 20 storeys in the case the lower floors would be used for car parking."[88]

Taller

Edgewater Towers is taller than Kinkabool, the first high-rise development (10 storeys, 1960) at Surfers Paradise, the forerunner of Gold Coast high-rise development.[89] At the time Edgewater Towers was completed in 1961, the tallest residential building in Australia was Torbreck, Highgate Hill, Brisbane, 18 storey, completed 1960 by Job and Froud Architects. Harry Seidler's Blues Point Tower, Sydney, 25 storey, completed in 1962, was then tallest residential building until 1970. The tallest building in Australia at the time was ICI House, 1, Nicholson St. Melbourne, 20 storeys, completed in 1958 by Bates Smart McCutcheon. The AMP Building, 33, Alfred St. Sydney, 26 storey, completed in 1962 by Peddle, Thorpe and Walker (PTW Architects) was then tallest building until 1965.

The original Edgewater Towers sales brochure included photos of the surrounding views including "City View Overlooks Albert Park and Lake" with only the single tower of ICI House visible on the horizon. In Melbourne ICI House's tallest status was surpassed by the CRA Building, 89-101, Collins Street, 26 storey, completed 1962 by Sir Bernard Evans (architect). Today the 'City View' is very different. List of tallest buildings in Melbourne.

The tallest building designed by Edgewater Towers' architect Mordechai Benshemesh was Nylex House, 10, Queens Rd. Melbourne, 20 storey including a stunning penthouse apartment completed 1971. Prior to Edgewater Towers his confirmed tallest buildings were just four storeys including next door at 11 Marine Parade, 'Bay View Marina', 41 flats, 1959. "There were several schemes for six and seven level apartment blocks in Chapel Street between Alma Road and Argyle Street, but only one, No. 16A, six storey block, was built. The designer is not known, however, one possible candidate is Mordechai Benshemesh, as he prepared plans for a similar, but unrealised scheme on an adjoining site (the plans for 16A Chapel Street have not been located)."[90]

Robin Boyd's Domain Park Flats at 20 storeys and Sir Bernard Evans (architect)'s Emerald Hill Court, South Melbourne at 17 storeys for Housing Commission of Victoria, both taller than Edgewater Towers, completed in 1962. Emerald Hill Court, the "17 storey concrete tower represented the Housing Commission's first foray into high rise apartment construction. As such it marked the start of the Commission's ambitious and controversial high rise programme that transformed Melbourne's inner suburbs during the 1960s."[91]

The Melbourne Building Act 1916 limited building height to 132 feet (40 metres) (i.e. 11 to 12 storeys) and plot ratios with height limits were introduced in 1957. The Edgewater Towers' site planning requirement was minimum 300 square feet (28 square metres) open space per flat and the large "L" shaped site allowed Edgewater Towers to achieve 147 feet (45 metres), 13 storeys.[92] Edgewater Towers' views cannot be built out by other tall(er) buildings because there is a planning height limit of 11m.[93]

Beachfront development

In May 1960 it was reported that "A great deal of interest has been created in this project, because it will obviously be the forerunner of a number of similar structures in the long-overdue redevelopment of Melbourne's inner suburban beach areas."[37] Beachfront high rise developments around Hobsons Bay when viewed from Edgewater Towers’ rooftop terrace towards Port Melbourne include:

21, The Esplanade, St. Kilda, "Questa Heights", 10 storey, 29 flats, 1963, Mordechai Benshemesh architect and developer Bruce Small.[94] Bruce Small's plans "for an American-type motor-hotel (Motel) with 250 units, estimated cost £600,000" and "to build to 20 storeys, in the case the lower floors would be used for car parking"[95] were never realised.

13, The Esplanade, St. Kilda, "Bay View Heights", 10 storey, 33 flats, (twin high rise 3, Albert Square, 9 storey, 32 flats), 1969,[96] Sol Sapir Architect and developer Nathan Beller. Constructed with high-compressive bricks without columns.[97] Plans for an earlier 12 storey development of 35 flats at 13, The Esplanade by Roy Grounds, Frederick Romberg and Robin Boyd Architects with developer A. V. Jennings Construction Company[98] were never realised. In March 1960 it was reported that both Edgewater Towers and the planned 12 storey "schemes will no doubt focus greater attention towards Melbourne's long neglected Bay front areas of St Kilda and South Melbourne".[99]

11, The Esplanade, St Kilda, "Esplanade Apartments", 9 storey (plus two basement levels), 85 flats, 2007, Fender Katsalidis Architects and Becton Development. "Becton initially proposed a 38-storey development, but reluctantly scaled down its plans after more than 11,000 residents objected".[100]

8-10, The Esplanade, St Kilda, "Arrandale", 15 storey, 41 flats, 1979, Sol Sapir Architect.[101]

350, Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda West, "Sunset Beach Tower", 12 storey (plus rooftop extension), 47 flats, 1969, Sol Sapir Architect and developer Nathan Beller.[102]

333, Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda West, "The Plaza 333", 16 storey, 51 flats, 1970, Sol Sapir Architect and developer Nathan Beller. Constructed with a cast concrete core formed using steel slip formwork and pre-cast concrete facade. Concrete floor slabs were jacked up into position.[103]

325, Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda West, "Breakwater Towers", 10 storey, 26 flats, 1975, Sol Sapir Architect.[104]

313, Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda West, "Belle Mer", 8 storey, 21 flats, 1968, Sol Sapir Architect.[105]

225, Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park, "Hobsons Bay Tower", 16 storey, 52 flats, 1980, Sol Sapir Architect and developer Nathan Beller.

195, Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park, "Bayside Plaza", 10 storey, 36 flats, 1970, Sol Sapir Architect and developer Nathan Beller.[106]

189, Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park, "Miami Towers", 10 storey, 36 flats, 1970, Sol Sapir Architect and developer Nathan Beller.[107]

85, Rouse Street, Port Melbourne, "HM@S Beach Apartments", Tower 2, 20 storey, 2001, Nonda Katsalidis Architect.

95, Rouse Street, Port Melbourne, "HM@S Beach Apartments", Tower 1, 20 storey, 2001, Nonda Katsalidis Architect.

107, Beach Street, Port Melbourne, Beacon Cove 1, 12 storey, 1997, 57 units, developer Mirvac.

115, Beach Street, Port Melbourne, Beacon Cove 2, 12 storey, 1998, developer Mirvac.

127, Beach Street, Port Melbourne, Beacon Cove 3, 14 storey, 2000, 63 units, developer Mirvac.

147, Beach Street, Port Melbourne, Beacon Cove 4, 14 storey, 2000, developer Mirvac.

155, Beach Street, Port Melbourne, Beacon Cove 5, 13 storey, 2005, developer Mirvac.

Building services

Following is a description of Building services engineering at Edgewater Towers.[108]

Fibre Internet for high speeds (installed 2018) by a private contractor (not NBN Co) with an optical fibre connection to each floor level and Category 6 cables taking the fibre connection to each flat.[109]

Grade 1 water supply from Marine Parade and Spenser Street rises to rooftop tanks (one kitchen/potable and one bathroom/WC ‘Flushometers'’, tanks replaced 2007) under mains pressure with back-up duty/standby booster pumps. Level 11 and below served by gravity via vertical piping risers to each flat (one in kitchen and one in bathroom). A further tank is above the East lift roof serving only level 12 by gravity (retrofitted at the time the building opened to solve low water pressure in the penthouse flats). Each flat has two water isolation valves within kitchen and bathroom riser shafts. Vertical risers can be isolated at roof level. Hot water is via water heater (originally gas fired instantaneous) in kitchen with flue in façade. Hot water piping to bathroom is cast within the concrete floor slab from the kitchen. In ground incoming 50mm water main and 100mm fire main are copper from Spenser Street below car park asphalt (replaced 2013). 50mm water main from Marine Parade is copper (replaced 2013) and 100mm fire main is galvanized piping below the garden area. Water pipework within the building is copper.

Electrical substation is located at Spenser Street boundary supplying the Main Electrical room on Ground floor. Electrical Smart meters for Ground to level 3 flats are in the Main Switch Room. Electrical smart meters for flats on other levels are in Electrical cupboards on the upper levels (4, 5 & 6 on level 4; 7, 8 & 9 on level 7 and 10, 11 & 12 on level 10).

Vertical waste stacks in each flat (one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom) with a sewer connection to Spenser Street. Vertical stacks in the building are copper, cross-vented (i.e. Drain-waste-vent system) with smaller piping (expansion and contraction of the copper waste stacks in places work hardening the smaller piping connections which have required periodic repair).

Mechanical exhaust ventilation from bathrooms (24hr) via roof-mounted exhaust fans. (3 No. fans serving A & B flats; C, D, E & F flats and G & H flats. Duty fans replaced 2007). Redundant standby fans were removed and the remaining duty fans serving A & B and G & H flats were relocated into fire rated plantrooms for improved maintenance service life in 2016 to reduce noise nuisance on the accessible rooftop. Kitchen ventilation is via the façade.

Incoming gas supplies from Marine Parade run adjacent southern and northern boundary fences. Gas meters serving flats up to level 7 are mostly external adjacent boundary fences. Gas to water heater and stove is metered to each flat. Gas meters serving flats on level 8 and above are located in laundries and bike storage rooms on each upper level (flats A, B, C & D in West and flats E, F, G & H in East). Utility gas supply piping from Marine Parade site boundary to all gas meters replaced 2020.

Combined fire sprinkler/hydrant and hose reel system to AS2118.1, AS2118.6, AS2419 and BCA. Light hazard (residential sprinklers) and booster pump to AS2941 and BCA. Fire detection and alarm system to AS1670.1, AS1603, AS3000 and BCA. Occupant warning system to AS1670.4 and BCA. Smoke detectors replaced 2017.

The Main Distribution Frame (MDF) is at level 1 West (Ground Floor is Level 13).

Electronic security access control with colour video intercom (installed 2016) at Marine Parade, Spenser Street and entrance lobby. Electronic security to bike room and roof. Security intercom panel at level 1 West stair landing. CCTV coverage to car park, Ground floor and roof.

gollark: The semantic search thing could be highly cool and good™ if I can make it not use 3818911 RAM.
gollark: Minoteaur inevitably.
gollark: Possibly not Spotify.
gollark: YTDL actually downloads from many other sites.
gollark: Increasing Haskell incursions threaten the fabric of reality.

References
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  2. Built Heritage Pty Ltd. "Mordechai Benshemesh". Builtheritage.com.au. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  3. Edquist, Harriet (2010). Australian Architecture. P79.
  4. The Age. Melbourne's Finest Home Investment Project. 4 November 1960.
  5. St Kilda City Council Permit No. 57/1323 issued 27 May 1960.
  6. The Sun. ₤500,000 for 13 Storeys. 4 November 1960.
  7. The Herald. Up in the Air With Flats. 5 February 1960. H. Perrot. P15.
  8. Peter Neish. "Parliament of Victoria - Re-Member". Parliament.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  9. City of Port Phillip Heritage Review, Edgewater Towers, Citation No. 2049.
  10. The Age. Flat owners, brigade in conflict over fire safety. 4 July 1988. R. Smithers, p .15.
  11. The Herald. St Kilda Council's Fire Safety Plan to be Tested. 3 November 1988.
  12. City of Port Phillip Council – Building Notice: Fire safety upgrade required, No. 311/2002/NOT, 27 June 2002
  13. Edgewater Service Ltd Archive. Fire Protection Services General Contract Document, Revision D; Lincoln Scott Australia Pty Ltd, October 2005.
  14. "Striking snap captures heat of the moment". The Age. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
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  17. Herald Weekly 24 November 1987, Melbourne's Faulty Towers.
  18. Original sales brochure 1961.
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  23. Areas calculated from Original sales brochure 1961, not by survey.
  24. Building Registration 57/2556, Sketch Plans - Penthouse Layout at Flat 12A-12B Edgewater Towers, 12 Marine Parade, St. Kilda for Leighton Homes Pty Ltd. 1963.
  25. Edgewater Towers price list Approx.1961/2.
  26. Edgewater Towers Service Agreement, Third Schedule, 1.(a) The Quarterly Service Charge, approx. 1961/2.
  27. Age Newspaper. 'Only a few left'. 2 & 23 February 1963. P5.
  28. Ground Floor Plan, Proposed opening in wall at "Edgewater Towers", Marine Parade, St Kilda. Estimated 1960.
  29. Identifibre Pty Ltd report, "No asbestos fibres detected", 29 June 2004.
  30. Edgewater Towers News Letter, August 1995.
  31. Proposed New Entrance to Shop for Mr. W. Grubb, Peter Wilson Architect, Approx. 1970s.
  32. Plan of Subdivision of part of Crown Allotments 70 and 71 at St Kilda. Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works datum from Bench Mark No. 777. 2.9 m. 1961.
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  39. Parliament of Victoria Bill, Lifts and Cranes Act, 8 November 1961, G.G.Reid (Minister of Labour and Industry, P.993.
  40. Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) 17 December 2019.
  41. Proposed Landscaping For Edgewater Towers St Kilda, M. Benshemesh & Associates Architects, City of St Kilda Planning Resolution, 17 September 1962.
  42. Edgewater Towers Gardens - Scope of works and site plans, Phil Tulk Heritage Landscape Consultant, 8 July 2012.
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  45. City Port Phillip Planning Permit No. 21/2016, 18 February 2016.
  46. Building Permit BS-U1055-2018-0003-0, BSGM, 12 January 2018.
  47. Edgewater Towers Rooftop Load Test, 2187 – Load Test Installation, Monitoring & Test Report, Strainstall, 15 September 2017.
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  52. The Canberra Times. Wainer tells of attempts on his life. 20 February 1970. P3.
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  54. A tribute to Edgewater Towers, residents Ganz and 'Oppy'. City of Port Phillip Press Release. 20 September 2017.
  55. City Port Phillip, Letter RE: Port Phillip Planning Scheme - Amendment C161 - Update Amendment, 13 March 2019.
  56. The Port Phillip Heritage Review Update (February 2019), Citation 2049, David Helms Heritage Planning.
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  63. Homicide TV Show, Episode 24, 1965, DVD Crawford Productions Ltd.
  64. 45 Storeys, Access Gallery of the National Gallery of Victoria, 1995.
  65. Dangerous Remedy, ABC Telemovie 2012.
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  70. Sir Hubert Opperman, Oral History Programme, National Library of Australia, Mel Pratt, 4 March 1975.
  71. State Library Victoria; Maggie Diaz; incorrectly entitled 'Mrs Landells (mother of Sidney Nolan) taken at Edgewater Towers, Marine Parade, St.Kilda'; The subject is not the image of Flora Annie Margaret Landells (Painter and Potter); Dora Irene Nolan is the subject (confirmed as same person photographed in 'Dora Irene Nolan and Son Artist Sidney Nolan'; Fairfax Photos; Taken Art Gallery NSW 12 September 1967; by G. Henderson); daughter Lorna (Gosling) is seated behind right (confirmed by longtime resident building manager Johannes (Jonas) Le Ferink) and possibly other daughter (not confirmed) Marj. seated left. The paintings in the two photos include a Sidney Nolan from the Ned Kelly series and there are two Sidney Nolan books in the book case. The raised flooring platform (which covers a concrete upstand) on which the three subjects are seated improves the views out from the flat and is very typical of one bedroom Edgewater Towers flats that have enclosed their once open balconies.
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  84. Original sales brochure.
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  93. City of Port Phillip Fact Sheet - New Residential Zones (NRZ), NRZ27 Marine Parade DD06-09 "mandatory build height 11m". Undated. Estimated 2014.
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  95. The Sun. £500,000 for 13 storeys. 4 November 1960.
  96. The Herald & Weekly Times archive. Aerial View of Marine Parade (photo taken from roof of Edgewater Towers showing buildings under construction). 1968.
  97. The Weekly Review, 12 April 2014, Shaping Melbourne, N.Clerehan.
  98. The Age. £350,000 Multi-Storey Flat Building for St Kilda. 16 December 1959.
  99. Cross-Section. University of Melbourne Department of Architecture. Issue No. 89. 1 March 1960.
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  101. The Age. Arrandale Luxury Beachfront Apartments. 4 August 1979. P14.
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  103. The Weekly Review, 12 April 2014, Shaping Melbourne, N. Clerehan, P.27.
  104. Age Newspaper. 24 Luxury Apartments, Breakwater Towers. 28 September 1974.
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  106. N. Beller & Co. High Rise Home Units (brochure). P12.
  107. Age Newspaper. An Age Special Survey of High Density Living. 19 June 1970. P17-20.
  108. Building Services Description for Edgewater Services Ltd prepared by Russell Jessop, Chartered Building Services Engineer and Registered Building Practitioner, revised 19 May 2018.
  109. IT Wire. St Kilda landmark gets gigabit fibre. Stephen Withers. 26 June 2018.
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