Owner officially lists derelict former Cancer Council site in Carlton for sale

The long-dormant former Cancer Council site at 1 Rathdowne St, Carlton has been officially listed for sale, in what appears to be the end of a troubled chapter for one of Melbourne’s most notorious eyesores.

Inner City News first revealed last month that the site’s offshore owner was quietly preparing to sell, following more than a decade of stalled development attempts, ongoing community frustration, and planning rejections. That move has now been confirmed, with the property formally hitting the market in July.

The 3106 sqm corner site – opposite the Carlton Gardens and on the northeastern gateway to Melbourne’s CBD – was purchased in 2013 by Chinese billionaire Wang Hua for a reported $21 million.

After more than a decade of inactivity and mounting local concerns about vandalism, vermin and antisocial behaviour, the property has now been listed by Ascend Real Estate with expressions of interest closing on September 18.

The owner was contacted by Inner City News for comment who declined the opportunity at this stage.

Ascend Real Estate’s Chen Sun told the Herald Sun he had already received early interest and expected the site would most appeal to interstate or international developers with the capital to take on the complex planning overlays.

The site carries strict height controls due to its interface with the World Heritage–listed Carlton Gardens, with a six-storey height limit in place under City of Melbourne planning policy.

“It just needs time to find the right buyer,” Mr Sun told the Herald Sun, adding that a sale could be finalised before the end of the year.

In 2022, a 13-storey residential tower proposal for the site was rejected by planning authorities on overshadowing grounds – the latest in a series of failed schemes that have left the prominent corner derelict and covered in graffiti.

In 2019, the site was earmarked for a $5 million interim upgrade, which never eventuated.

City of Melbourne acting Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell welcomed the listing and said the council was keen to see progress.

“We know there is a keen interest in the next chapter of 1 Rathdowne St. Council stands ready to support the redevelopment of this critical corner of the city,” Cr Campbell said.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece expressed his frustration with the situation surrounding the site last month, stating: “enough is enough – we want to see [sites like this] cleaned up, activated or redeveloped”, and pointed to recent “success stories” such as the Job Warehouse on Bourke St and the Duke of Kent Hotel on La Trobe St.

“We will explore stronger measures – whether that’s higher rates, special charges or other tools – to tackle the city’s worst derelict sites.”

While the property's future remains uncertain, the sale listing marks the most definitive sign to date that its current owner is preparing to move on – and that long-awaited change may finally be on the horizon. •