One of Southbank's most historic and highest profile buildings will have a 39-storey black glass hotel extension added to it.

The Robur Tea House building at 28-34 Clarendon Street, on the north-west corner of Normanby Road, was built about 1887, and for many years was the tallest building outside the CBD.

The heritage listed Tea House on Clarendon Street.

Described by Heritage Victoria as "one of the finest and most prominent examples of a 19th century Melbourne warehouse" – the intricate red-brick, six-level structure is now dwarfed by skyscrapers.

Surrounding the site to the north and west is the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (this complex's main entrance is next door to 28 Clarendon Street).