That's Built · Building report

ESSO House

12 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006

Generated 8 November 2026
Commercial · Unoccupied - Unused

67 mheight

15floors

1995completed

0businesses

10permits

Development milestones

Planning application	2020	Planning application ID-2020-4 lodged
Approved	Approved	Planning permit granted (exact date not recorded)
Completed	1995	ESSO House completed: 15 floors

Building team

Developer: Nice Future International Investments
Architect: Peddle Thorp
Owner: ExxonMobil
Architect: Hayball
Owner: Nice Future International Investments

Planning & subdivision

Zone: CCZ3
Overlays: DDO1, DDO60, DDO60-A1, LSIO4, PO1, SCO26
Strata plan: PS304276 · 1 lots
Scores: 🚆 9 · ☕ 9 · 🌳 8 · ✨ 9

Timeline

9 Apr 2025Vacant Esso House site raises question of temporary community use
Southbank Local News reported that the former Esso House site was now empty, with demolition begun mid-2024 and appearing close to completion. The article said there was no clear timeline for the approved 30-storey commercial building and public green space, and asked whether the site could host temporary community use.

4 Dec 2024Esso House approved and set for demolition by Christmas 2024
Southbank Local News and The Urban Developer reported that the Esso House plans had received final approval from the Department of Transport and Planning, and that the City of Melbourne had noted the plans, which were reported to comply with the conditions of the development permit. Demolition, which began mid-2024, was reported as nearly finished, and the plans were reported to show 254 apartments in two 36-storey towers with 164 car spaces.

1 Sep 2023Esso House redevelopment plans move to planning minister
The Urban Developer reported that the developer, Nice Future International Investments, had moved its plan to redevelop Esso House. Approval via an incorporated document was reported as granted in January 2020, with the decision then with the Victorian planning minister. The developer also applied for consent to demolish and begin early works. Hayball was named as the designer of the new tower and park.

20231 building permit · about $12.2m of new works
Largest: Demolish 18 Storey Office Building to Ground Level

2020Planning application ID-2020-4 lodged
Derived from City of Melbourne Development Activity Monitor

2020Council census records it as unoccupied - unused, 15 floors
Name recorded: ESSO House

28 Feb 2017Esso House, Riverside Quay sold for $160 million
A Southbank Cityscope update for February 2017, reported by apartments.com.au, said the 17-level Esso House office building at Riverside Quay had been sold for $160 million through JLL. The building was described as 20,000 square metres and built in 1995 at a cost of $100 million.

20161 certificate · about $59k of new works
Largest: Alteration to Existing Office Building

2015Council census records it as office, 15 floors
Name recorded: ESSO House

20131 certificate · about $18k of new works
Largest: LEVEL 4. PROPOSED ALTERATIONS TO AN EXISTING OFFICE TENANCY

20122 building permits and 3 certificates · about $577k of new works
Largest: Proposed Office Fit-out,Level 13

20111 building permit and 4 certificates · about $1.9m of new works
Largest: Upgrade of existing external paving & balustrading on Levels 2 & 6

20052 certificates · about $900k of new works
Largest: Office partition alterations Levels 1,2,3,4,7,8,12,13 & 14

20031 building permit and 1 certificate · about $848k of new works
Largest: Fitout alterations to Vision Centre Levels 4 & 5

20022 building permits · about $54k of new works
Largest: Internal Fitout to part Ground Floor Level

2002First council census entry: office, 15 floors

19991 building permit · about $180k of new works
Largest: Balustade replacement to Levels 4, 5, 14 &15

19962 building permits · about $221k of new works
Largest: Office fitout to various levels of Esso building

1995ESSO House completed: 15 floors
Derived from City of Melbourne building census (CLUE) 2024

ApprovedPlanning permit granted (exact date not recorded)
Derived from City of Melbourne Development Activity Monitor

Building permits and certificates (22)

Each cost is the estimate on that record. Stages of a project often repeat its full value, so these don't add up to what was spent.

13 Nov 2023	Demolish 18 Storey Office Building to Ground Level	$12.2m
29 Mar 2016	Alteration to Existing Office Building	$59k
02 Oct 2013	LEVEL 4. PROPOSED ALTERATIONS TO AN EXISTING OFFICE TENANCY	$19k
12 Nov 2012	Proposed Office Fit-out,Level 13	$317k
03 Oct 2012	Proposed Office Fit-out,Level 13	$317k
19 July 2012	Proposed installation of water tanks to an existing building 12 Riverside Quay, SOUTHBANK	$210k
24 Apr 2012	Proposed New Mechanical Sewer Room B1 Basement	$15k
31 Jan 2012	Alterations to Office tenancy Partition works Level 5	$35k
07 Nov 2011	Ofiice fitout Level 4	$150k
07 Nov 2011	Proposed alterations to an existing office tenancy on level 7	$20k
07 Nov 2011	Proposed Office Fitout at Level 5	$100k
04 Oct 2011	Proposed Alterations to an Existing office tennancy-Level 6	$8k
29 Sept 2011	Upgrade of existing external paving & balustrading on Levels 2 & 6	$1.6m
16 Mar 2005	Alterations Level 4	$65k
16 Mar 2005	Office partition alterations Levels 1,2,3,4,7,8,12,13 & 14	$835k
29 Sept 2003	Fitout alterations to Vision Centre Levels 4 & 5	$450k
25 July 2003	Office accommodation works Level 1 and Basement 2	$398k
22 May 2002	Deletion of Canvas Hydrant Hose to all Levels	$5k
02 Apr 2002	Internal Fitout to part Ground Floor Level	$50k
22 Nov 1999	Balustade replacement to Levels 4, 5, 14 &15	$180k
12 Apr 1996	Delete sprinklers in Basement 1 of Law Vault	$9k
12 Apr 1996	Office fitout to various levels of Esso building	$212k

Questions and answers

Is ESSO House residential or commercial?
ESSO House is a commercial building. The City of Melbourne lists its main use as unoccupied - unused.

When was ESSO House built?
ESSO House was completed in 1995.

How many floors does ESSO House have?
ESSO House has 15 floors above ground.

What businesses are in ESSO House?
The latest council census counted 0 businesses in ESSO House.

Is there office or retail space for lease in ESSO House?
See the commercial listings on this page, or search this address on realcommercial.com.au and commercialrealestate.com.au.

Who designed and built ESSO House?
Nice Future International Investments developed ESSO House and Hayball designed it. The building team section has the sources.

How tall is ESSO House?
About 67 metres, measured from the City of Melbourne's 3D building model. It's number 67 of 190 buildings in Southbank by height.

What public transport is near ESSO House?
Flinders Street Station is the nearest train station, about 3 minutes' walk. The nearest tram stop is Elizabeth St/Flinders St #4, about 3 minutes' walk.

What is the planning zone for ESSO House?
The site is in the Capital City Zone - Schedule 3 (CCZ3).

Does ESSO House have an owners corporation?
Plan of subdivision PS304276 has 1 lot.

Has any work been done on ESSO House recently?
The City of Melbourne has issued 10 building permits for ESSO House since 1996. The most recent was in November 2023.

Sources: City of Melbourne building permits (CC BY 4.0); CLUE building information (CC BY 4.0); Development Activity Monitor (CC BY 4.0); Geocoded National Address File (G-NAF) (Open G-NAF EULA (CC BY 4.0 based)). General information from public records, not legal, financial or building advice.