The redevelopment of the iconic Piedimonte's Supermarket in Fitzroy, Melbourne, is moving forward despite significant community opposition. The plan, initially proposed in 2017, involves demolishing and rebuilding the existing structure to include additional housing. In 2020, Yarra council initially rejected the proposal due to concerns about excessive demolition and its impact on the neighborhood's character. Locals also voiced concerns about the loss of heritage associated with the supermarket.
Despite the council's rejection, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) granted an amended permit for the redevelopment. While some heritage facades will be retained, concerns remain regarding traffic flow, particularly funneling traffic down residential streets. A sale of public land is also part of the project, creating additional community contention.
Supporters of the redevelopment, such as YIMBY Melbourne, argue it is a necessary revitalization project that promotes density and improves the area. However, opponents express concerns about the loss of heritage and the potential negative impact on the neighborhood's character and traffic.
The Yarra City Council is expected to vote on the sale of a laneway, a crucial step in the project. A final decision on the sale is anticipated in July, following community feedback. Salvatore Piedimonte, a director of Piedimonte Developments, has declined to comment on the matter.
But Coveny said that alternative meant funnelling traffic down a narrower, one-way residential street.
“This downgrading potentially also limits future use,” she added.
Coveny considered the merits of the Piedimonte’s Supermarket redevelopment a separate issue.
The plan to demolish and rebuild the double-storey 1960s-era grocer was first proposed in 2017.
In 2020, a majority of Yarra councillors rejected the proposal, believing demolitions were excessive and its scale unfit for the neighbourhood’s character.
Locals also raised objections to a loss of heritage around the iconic supermarket, which the Italian-Australian Piedimonte family started in 1958 before its vintage helped garner a cult following in Melbourne’s trendy and gentrified inner north.
However, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) eventually granted an amended permit for the “much needed” revamp of the ageing supermarket with additional housing on an L-shaped site between 25-45 Best Street and 102-114 Scotchmer Street.
The facades of some heritage shops, including the 1920s Fisher and Co motor engineers workshop, will be retained.
Ethan Gilbert, deputy lead organiser of pro-development group YIMBY Melbourne, said he understood Coveny’s concerns about public land sales but believed this proposal was a good trade-off.
“This is a comprehensive redevelopment of an area that needs new life,” Gilbert said. “This sort of lot consolidation is what we need to see to boost density in Melbourne.”
Yarra City Mayor Stephen Jolly said the council sometimes sold disused back lanes to make way for new housing.
“Whether this is in this category or not is something we’ll decide at the final vote,” he said.
If the council votes to begin the laneway sale process on Tuesday night, councillors are expected to hear community feedback before a final vote on the sale in July.
Salvatore Piedimonte, one of four directors of Piedimonte Developments, declined to comment.
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