MARK Edmonds lived in the quiet leafy northern suburb of Eltham for 28 years before deciding to downsize when the children moved out, when he then bought an apartment in the CBD.

Mr Edmonds has enjoyed the services, transport connections and the views from his 28th-storey Bourke Street apartment - but the noise has been intolerable. In particular, Mr Edmonds said music from nearby venues was the main problem.

Mark Edmonds on the balcony of his Bourke Street apartment. Credit:Penny Stephens

After four years Mr Edmonds and his wife had enough and spent $14,000 on double glazing. But the noise from the nearby venues did not stop. ''The heavy bass is not stopped by double glazing,'' he says.

Mr Edmonds' apartment windows face Bourke Street and he said the noise from a nightclub on Little Collins Street that operated well into the morning penetrated into his apartment.