The first stage of a plan to replace the well-known Tradesmen’s Union Club at Dickson in Canberra’s inner-north with a multi-building apartment complex has been approved.
The stage is part of a masterplan for 645 homes on the 1.9ha site of the club colloquially known by Canberrans as The Tradies.
The Stewart Architecture-designed project for 75-79 Dickson Place comprises a 13-storey tower and a six-storey building with 246 apartments between them.
Three basement levels will provide car parking, while communal amenities, landscaping and streetscape upgrades are also included.
From 1985 to 2008, the club’s defining features were its near-round-the-clock trading hours (which remain) and 11 vintage trams from other capital cities in which members and visitors could dine. Of those trams, only one not regularly used for dining remains at the club.
Like the driver of a St Kilda-bound Route 16 permitted to release the brake at Swanston Street, Stage 1 of the Tradies overhaul was given the green light on October 10.
Community interest in the proposal focused on the now-approved demolition of the Dickson Squash Club courts, which have operated on the site since 1969.
In a letter responding to concerns, including from the ACT sport and recreation department, Stewart Architecture’s Marcus Graham said removing the courts would allow the project to cater to a wider range of users.
“The inclusion of squash courts requires a large footprint dedicated to a single sport, limiting ability to contribute to broader precinct activation,” he said.
“It is noted that there are existing underutilised squash courts nearby within the inner north area.”
Five other residential buildings are proposed for future stages of the development, including 5143sq m of commercial space across the site. The Tradies would continue to operate on the ground floor of one of the new buildings.
