well someone better start this thread. Its confirmed as u/c. The building was too big to demolish, to small a floorplate to get a tenant.

It will be interesting to watch this redevelopment over its different stages. Currently the insides are being gutted.

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/osxfoyer.JPG

The front windows are being punched out and the foyer structure is starting to take shape. Starting to place the wooden beams under the first floor ceiling to support the first concrete pour. Cant wait until the tower's extended floorplates start to move upwards. More interesting to me than starting a new tower from scratch.

The best pic we have so far.

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/osxnew.JPG

Colour plans here sooner or later. Height 133m until told otherwise.

do you remember where we saw the plans ?

was it in the Melbourne Incorporated Documents ? or just a single display :?

tays

It it going to gain height?

Originally posted by kasperluke
It it going to gain height?

yep, up to roughly the same height as 333 nextdoor (~130m), covering up more of that freaking blank concrete wall on Optus!

w00t ? :D

tays

WOOT WOOT!


:D :D

When the colour rendering comes out we'll get a better idea of the place i think! It looks good already however!

I walked past the place the other day, isn't much reoom there for their construction!

Well.. it seems to be official now!!

From todays AFR

After almost 10 years of sitting vacant, Melbourne's former Stock Exchange House in Collins Street is undergoing redevelopment.

The owner of the rundown 1960s building, Maxicity, will spend up to $100 million on the property. It will include new office, apartment and car-parking space.

There will be a new 22-storey building at the front of the site, linked at each floor to the 1960s structure, which is set well back from the street.

At the back, on Flinders Lane, a six-level building will be replaced with a 34-storey building, including a 10-level car park and 24 more storeys above.

Maxicity bought the empty building in 1994 for $10.85 million. It was previously home of the ASX until the exchange relocated to a new building at 530 Collins Street in the early 1990s. Since that time the owner has had no return from the asset, which has sat almost derelict on its prime CBD location.

Melbourne-based members of the Mah family from Malaysia control Maxicity.

As well as 20,000 square metres of office space, with average floor plates of about 1,700 sq m each, the redevelopment will have up to 100 apartments and 270 car spaces.

The project manager is Baracon Group, with Woods Bagot as architects.


I must say I was a doubter about this one, but this is really great news!! Turning a boring on <100m slab into a shiny glassy 133m gap-filler is fantastic!!

Has this ever happened before?? An existing building substantially increased in height by adding new structures on both sides at different heights???

And 133m would seem to be dead-on correct given the rear part will be 34 stories (@4m per floor) ...

I think I would have prefered this design instead of the one above
http://members.iinet.net.au/~tayser/oldasx2.jpg

It certainly is an interesting design; I think I would've preferred it too. Except for the twisty bits up the top and down the bottom; I dunno ;) At least we're getting a decent glass wall instead.

Originally posted by silvermb
The building was too big to demolish, to small a floorplate to get a tenant.


Too big to demolish - bah! Never! The State Office Block (128m) and CAGA House (125m) were demolished in Sydney, and nobody even blinked an eye (except for some weird heritage freaks who wanted to preserve the horrible shoe boxes ;)).

I understand though because the site is a little bit tight, and seems pretty cool to me as a nicely refurbished and expanded infill tower. :)

regardless of which design is "better" or "more attractive" - ANYTHING is better than the shiteful facade it has now

full stop

.

:guns1:

tays

really is travelling now, does anyone know if they've started pouring, or will they do a few floors at once? The latter sounds more economical, not too big a floor plate to pour.

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/201202osx.JPG

What's the little old building between it and 333 Collins?

Real throwback.

Keep up the snaps, silvermb but your avatar is giving me nightmares - I'll swear the eyes follow me around the room.......

Cheers,

Adam

It aint going to matter what they do with it, as any new design will make it look better.

this looks like an alright building, whats the completion date?

WOW...VERY nice. Anything that hides that Optus Wall, and adds to Melbourne's density is GREAT!!! A cool design as well.

Merry Christmas.
Thanx guys,
Matt:grouphug:

rendering of the "backside" (Flinders Lane) facade:

courtesy StavrosMelb:

http://users.bigpond.net.au/stevemelb/tour_20030106/pic_03.jpg

silvermb will be able to back me up here, but I knew the backside (seperate tower or ?) was residential (from the look of the above rendering - completely forgot about the article that A-brain posted above!)! :D

tays

This one is looking better all the time.

Anything that covers some of the behemoth of Optus has gotta be good. With floorplates jutting out in the Flinders Lane aspect, it's a style you don't often see anymore. Makes sense with the plates acting as shade therefore being energy blah blah.

The first rendering that has been floating about for a while is quite, well, smart! Sheer glass curtain walls making the bookkeeping (or disc-keeping) transparent therefore tenants' business being more accountable j/k. Nice render in itself too.

Not bad at all for a smallie.

A nice little gap filler, to be sure, but I'm actually a little sorry to see Optus's Eastern facade get hidden. Has anybody seen Odyssey 2001? There's something decidedly 'monolithic' about that wall! If you want to talk about ugly blank walls, what about the Eastern face of the building now occupied by Ramada?
:puke:

Just walked past this today - the steel frame is already up and construction is well underway...it may already be worth taking a photo...

I'll probably be in the city tomorra

pics of this and the Monriane site are on the cards methinks.

I havent walked down Collins Street in a while, so I've not taken a pic yet since I got ma cam!

tays

http://members.iinet.net.au/~tayser/oldasx1502031.jpg

http://members.iinet.net.au/~tayser/oldasx1502032.jpg

they were still pumping @ 8pm ! (chaotic traffic due to protests)

tays

getting higher!

http://members.iinet.net.au/~tayser/oldasx1403031.jpg

http://members.iinet.net.au/~tayser/oldasx1403032.jpg

tays

and another I forgot to post:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~tayser/oldasx1403033.jpg

This was the original proposal

http://www.a-r-m.com.au/projects/projimg/maxicity.jpg

Maxicity: 357 Collins Street, Melbourne
An "alteration and addition" to an existing office building in the Melbourne CBD, to form apartments and hotel accommodation. The scheme takes advantage of a new planning scheme under discussion that will allow much taller buildings, but will not accept a standard office building due to its prominence. Our solution: "Building as canvas".

I think this tower has hit the wall for the moment, into the third week without activity.

A fairly well educated guess, but i'd say the Malaysian developers Maxicity can't snare a major builder, which wouldn't be out of character for them. You'd think they would have bothered with such a minor detail prior to commencing the redevelopemnt :cool:. They have Baracon which are the project managers and do limited construction, but no builder like Multiplex or Baulderstone that well, can at least bring a crane to the party.

In saying this they'll probably be back onsite working tomorrow (I hope). Every builder under the sun is in town at the moment and there are still a few towers waiting for a builder before proceeding so hopefully the pause for this tower isn't too long.

the closest you'll get to a CFMEU public notice

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/357collins_20030401.JPG

the obscured lines middle left

'$20 dollars per hour - fat chance"
'PS - no hurry'

asbestos, wage disputes and no builder; the trifecta :cool:
another chapter in the sad history of this redevelopment since Maxicity purchased the site early 90's
I think I might start holding my breath for a resumption in construction.........now!

LOL!

asbestos city - and I've walked past this countless of times since action started on the site........... GRRRRRREEEAATTT!

..not.

tays

Any word on a tenant and how much space they have taken in the building???

kinda lob-sided pano stitch...

http://home.iprimus.com.au/gnahas/fmrasx_33pc.jpg

they're getting there ever so painfully

bumping so as it wont get canned

Hummmm

Just drove past this today and it looks like the redevelopment has died! :( There has been no action for a number of weeks now.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Aussie Steve </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Hummmm

Just drove past this today and it looks like the redevelopment has died! :( There has been no action for a number of weeks now.</td></tr>
</table>
FARKEN HELL!!! It's an EYESORE!!!

It hasnt died just dead slow.

There have been on going hot head union probs, change of builder, asbestos removals, false starts, bans, etc.

Heres the contact for more info Maxicity 03 9629 1898.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by jag </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>It hasnt died just dead slow.

There have been on going hot head union probs, change of builder, asbestos removals, false starts, bans, etc.

Heres the contact for more info Maxicity 03 9629 1898.</td></tr>
</table>

wonder why the media hasnt caught on to the union problems ??

hey jag

who were the builders to start with, and who did they change to. When the redevelopment first fired up all i saw were the Baracon signs, but i didn't think Baracon did construction.

any indication as to when this might start up again.

Theres lots of cooks in this kitchen here how it works.


Maxicity - Owner and developer

Baracon Group - Project Manager

Contract Control Constructions - Current Builder

(Old builder was a small 3 man band from out East)
they were contractedd to do the first 3 floors/facade.

The current contract is up to and including the 11th floor.

Ill keep you posted when I can.

PS; Dont know much about the Media side of it, just that its a blue between unions and Maxicity.

a bit of kick in the old dog today

first time ive seen some action for about 10 weeks
http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/357.JPG

work happening deep within and in the foyer. The highest redeveloped floor has been stripped of all its scaffolding, looks ready to fire again?

good stuff!

get a move on O-ASX :D

the sooner the tired, beaten-up by its peer to the east's beauty, facade goes, and covers up Optus blankness, THE BETTER :D

tays

At the present the proposal is to refurb the Collins St tower in stages.

So its up to L11 for the first stage.

All Union probs have been settled in court.

The rear 33 level tower is to commence soon.


More tiresome drivel later.



Spy

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by jag </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>


More tiresome drivel later.



Spy</td></tr>
</table>

lol :)

Has anyone actually seen the 30 level Flinders Lane tower on the market ? Off-shore buyers ?

hey hey hey

thats no tiresome drivel for most of us. Im sure alot of the guys appreciate some decent info rather than us speculating when this or that will happen.

So Contract Contol have the job to L11 which are the only levels to have their floorplate extended to Collins St.

I fairly sure Hocking Stuart are marketing the apartments, which have not been released yet

That's good news, Jag. So it's ON now!

Yep she'll be full steam ahead very soon or maybe even now.

I guess it was tiresome drivel (if you were on site that is), becoz thats what (dare I say) the union bubble headed zonks went on with for months delaying and frustrating this project.

It all became to much to bear the constant stop start stop start............

You'd walk away and say those Neanderthal SOB have fcukd it once again.


Spy

Lack of scaffold:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~tayser/oldasx1107031.jpg

http://members.iinet.net.au/~tayser/oldasx1107032.jpg

Now that is very very sad :(

I wish they completed the renovation of this building to the roof and higher along Flinders lane and Collins Street.

In my opinion, its still an ugly tower with a new foyer. BIG DEAL!!!

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Aussie Steve </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Now that is very very sad :(

I wish they completed the renovation of this building to the roof and higher along Flinders lane and Collins Street.

In my opinion, its still an ugly tower with a new foyer. BIG DEAL!!!</td></tr>
</table>

The whole North facade is going to be replaced with a glass curtain wall, extending the floorplates to level 11 is just the first stage with the rest of the north facade and Flinders Lane building to come.

Have a look at the rendering at the start of the thread, it's nothing amazing, but it will be 1,000,000% better than what is there now.

Are you certain it will be done Grollo?

as jag suggested, its about to fire up again. New hoarding has gone around the site and McIver framework as well, actually looks like a construction site now. not quite the bamboo sticks they used previously :cool:

painfully slow, but still alive, now for a builder?

safety cage going up, reconstruction starts once again

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/357c_20030802.JPG

nice crane.... I think ? lol ;)

le BUMP.

yes, as above, it's restarted [another thread gone unnoticed]

big render:

http://metropolis.tayser.net/misc/oldasxrender.jpg

Unfortunatly because of the past industrial relations at this site, its going to be a slow old hall to the top.

If its not one thing its another with almost daily stoppages by you know who, over frivalous issues.

Keep smilin folks.

:D

uhh... we'll try ;)

jag,

dont suppose there's any way you know or could find out when the next floor pour will occur?

Originally posted by silvermb
jag,

dont suppose there's any way you know or could find out when the next floor pour will occur?


SilverMB

Ive got to go there tommorrow and Ill ask Martin the site Forman from Contract Control how its all going.

Heres a few more less noticable works at;

20-22 McKillop St (underway)

480 Collins St (underway)

105 Elizabeth (to start)

2 Drewery Lane (to start)

Too many to list.

Can you give anymore specifics as to what's happening on those sites??

105 Eliz. sounds like Galleria redevelopment?

dont stop there Jag! :guns1: :)

you champion jag

with 480 Collins, Asian Pacific have nothing on their webpage, is that also an external redevelopment?

Originally posted by tayser
Can you give anymore specifics as to what's happening on those sites??

105 Eliz. sounds like Galleria redevelopment?

dont stop there Jag! :guns1: :)

Dont have much detail but J.E.Date is the managing agent.
They may know more.

The site is vacant and ripe for a facelift.

Originally posted by silvermb
you champion jag

with 480 Collins, Asian Pacific have nothing on their webpage, is that also an external redevelopment?


:laugh:

There is some additions to the roof Im not sure how many floors though.

Ill ask next time I talk to Christian (APBC)

Cheers.

Look what was an "almost" on this site (grollo posted these in Melbourne's Never Built)

http://www.axiomstudio.com.au/hr-01.jpg

http://www.axiomstudio.com.au/hr-02.jpg

http://www.axiomstudio.com.au/hr-03.jpg

http://www.axiomstudio.com.au/hr-05.jpg

:( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

Tays, looks good, but it's so "stuck between a 333 and an Optus", if you know what I mean, and...OVERSHADOWING of the Yarra BIG TIME!

myeah, after AXA and the Portfolio site (between King and Spencer Streets) I'd be hoping developers would "forget" about Collins Street - Bourke Street is SCREAMING for more attention / development, and tall things such as the above proposal would have far greater chance of going ahead, and not wedging themselves in between two things Sydney/Brisbane-style...!

That building is an absolute stunner! >(

well its been a long time between drinks, about 7 months actually, here's the first floor pour since March

back in business!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/483357c_20030930_2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/483357c_20030930_8.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/483357c_20030930_7.jpg

:guns1:

thanks for posting Mr. MB ;)

Why is there no crane?

Crane shortage again ? RDT only just got it's fully fledged crane just recently.

contract control has the job up until L11, they are using a small hoist that works on each floor as they move up and a mobile crane for all the heavy stuff.

i guess when one of the mainline builders takes the contract for L12-27, then the tower crane will come.

i WAS JUST WORKING ON MY "TALLEST IN 1970" diagram and was wondering if someone "grollo" would know its original height? i think it was 91m?
If it was 91m/300ft it would of been the 3rd tallest in melb-

tallest in 1968
Comalco House-95m/1963
Nat Mut Cnt-93m/1965
351 Collins st?? 1968
Communications House 85m/1966
ICE House 83m/1958


please let me know if ya can.
cheers

Reinforcing steelwork to re commence after the asbesos window sealant extraction on levels 5-11.

Unfortunately one so called safety rep has too much power in this game and is costing a fortune in delays because of his beligerant and illinfomed militant attitude.

Nuf said.

The weirdest thing this morning, after the deluge last night, here's a puntzmeister pumping grey gold like no tomorrow, and some shmo sweeping water off those floors that are exposed now on to Collins Street - and guess where the water landed? That's right, on me.

:bleep:

literally took this shot on the run the other day:

http://metropolis.tayser.net/misc/oldasx1512031.jpg

Do we even know if anyone's been signed as a tenant yet?

no tenants as yet, but some good signs

the floorplates gave been fitted with cleats to carry the glass panels, so the green cutrain facade will start appearing hopefully when cons re-commences late january. also the foyer is taking shape with some preety weird shaped metal features about, ahh one of my favourite projects to date

btw tays,

some shmo sweeping water off those floors that are exposed now on to Collins Street - and guess where the water landed? That's right, on me.

was it on the grey shirt or the red shirt? :cool:

^^ quiet you.

Finally here is the news.


The reason for all the industrial trouble and go slows at 357 is this.

Apparently the owner developer Maxicity screwed a couple of builders on a previous job and sent them to the wall dragging along with them workers jobs.

So any wonder why the militant atitude on site.

I.e one of the contractors who is paid an hourly rate (bad mistake) spent the whole shift working on his truck in the basement instead of doing what he is paid to do. That is an example of the go slow. LOL.

BUMP

anyone looked up whilst strolling down Collins Street between Elizabeth and Queen recently? :) [that's a subtle: "update please" btw]

Yes Tays...you beat me to it! Only problem was I didn't take a picture of it because I didn't think it was really worth it..it looks exactly the same as the last pics just a lhigher!!! BUT!!! It was all guns blazing today and I think it is at least level 8/9?...Since those last pics by SMB it would be 4 or 5 higher??!? I think I may be seeing things!!

As for cladding or anything nothing that I saw.

At least it was encouaging to see workers all over the site! The last few times I walked passed there was nothing..

The glass facade is being installed today and it looks very much like the new Westpac foyer on the other side of Collins Street. Nothing too fancy, but still a hell of a lot better then what was there before!

What is actually happening on this site, are they simply renovating the old tower or are they adding a new tower to the site as well???

today

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/483357.jpg

when finished, 27 office levels

http://home.iprimus.com.au/revlis81/osxnew.JPG

the new 34 level residential tower on the same site that will face flinders lane, basically two towers backing one another

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/483357collins_rear.jpg

cheers for bothering to update the thread mb ;)

ooh stuff happening :)

Anyone else see the crane they were using here on Sat Morning????
It was a GCI mobile tower crane owned by Boom Logistics.

is this similar to what your on about?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/483osx.jpg

anyway whats the reach for this thing. the developers are trying to do this project on the cheap, is this thing capable of getting up to level 27 or are we going to see a tower crane as the top of the office tower at about 115m?

Yep, thats the one. Great photo, it is in the process of setting up here, the towers can go up to 42m i think, and then the crane on top of that can go more. But it is not designed to be a heavy duty and especially not designed to be a heavy cycle crane like a normal tower crane. The crane company here was Boom, they took over conmor in melb, holts in brissy and others.

Been about a month since we've seen an update on this one. Anyways, not the best, but here are two pics.

http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v117/henrybal/asx2.jpg

http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v117/henrybal/ASX.jpg

Is glass - Is Good !

^^ yer, even when the craptacular Westpac building is reflecting in said Is Glass - Is Good.

:)

don't jump.

http://metropolis.tayser.net/tours/020404/autumnapril12.jpg

:cucumber:

well it looks like they've completed the glass to the top of the floors that have been completed.

Construction company changeover soon perhaps?

bump - surely someone's walked down this part of Collins Street recently?

Didn't even bother the other day taking a photo...viewed it from RACV building...hasn't budged..stalled at the current level, however i believe the windows/facade is up to the top of where it stalled.(pointed out from tayser above)

The first phase is looking very nice if I do say myself ;)

http://www.thehoddlegrid.net/projects/updates/cbd/357c/357c2406041.jpg

:eek2: I hope they keep that vertical theme up with the rest of the tower - quite literally, bring it on!

This bloody building has stalled yet again!

Gee, get on with it or pull the whole thing down or better still, give it to another developer to finish it off!

stiill stalled?

Yep, still stalled.

Not entirely - compared to that pic above anyhow.

Went past yesterday and noticed they've finished off the panelling between the glass and the Old ASX tower with a schmick silvery-grey metallic material. Who knows what's gone / going on inside though.

http://www.thehoddlegrid.net/projects/updates/cbd/357c/357c1708041.jpg

Should have got Jaimie Durie in, he would have been less off a backyard blitz than the bonzo's that built it.
It might look ok, but how long is the sticky tape holding it up going to last??

http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/blink.gif

this is turning into Melbourne's own Latitude :(

this is turning into Melbourne's own Latitude :(Seems to be, huh!

Long gone is the render over Flinders Lane.

I was looking through some of ARM's work (see the Dupain thread in Sydney forum) and found this - said to be a proposal for 353 Collins St. I don't think the roses are permanent - there's another render with an image of Michelangelo's David down the tower.

Was this a canned project for this site?

Psychedelic baby :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v376/Oriolus/ARM.jpg
More info in this PDF, including crazy entrance>
http://www.a-r-m.com.au/media/ARM%20CV_commercial.pdf

I think was given a planning permit. Pity it was never built. We now have a half built podium, a very poor Collins St facade and I won't even start on Flinders Lane!

I doubt it was A. Steve - it's the same height as Optus and Optus overshadows the Yarra (built pre-anal-bout-overshadowing etc). Still though, the ol' Financial core needs a newbie on the block :(

Yep, your right Mr T. It was never approved. There was another ARM design that was lower in scale that was approved.

hopefully for the last time, the new 357 Collins st

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/357cnew.jpg

blurb in yesterdays Capital Gain. construction recommences very soon, no residential tower at rear, OSX building expanded on Collins and Flinders Lane for larger floorplates, external core to be built.

looks better than the previous design, wouldn't be Woods Bagot without green/blue facade. lets hope they get a serious builder this time, should still be 133m

How soon is very soon?

there was a 'YOU LITTLE BEAUTY' from me when I glanced at Capital Gain yesterday.

I'd like to see something of similar height & proportions on the North East corner of Bourke & Queen Streets (demolish that ugly 15 level POS on site now) and just north of the Grand Central site (although, this building might be a part of Grand Central?)

X marks the spot

http://thehoddlegrid.net/dump/IMG_4076.jpg

http://thehoddlegrid.net/dump/IMG_4072.jpg

Melbourne needs more 357C!

Arrivederci!

http://www.melbournephotos.net/pics/2003-03-20%20Melbourne%20-%20Autumn%20Weather%20and%20Rialto/rainysun%2017.jpg

Yarr, there be treasure? X marks thee spot.

Yeah good idea Tays, that building is horrible. Needs to go.

That render Silver, i like. I like it muchly.

The marked building will be demolished as part of Grand Central (if it ever happens) as will the one immediately to the north of it. The Jetset building in Bourke St apparently has some architectural significance (http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/iheritageweb/BIF.asp?HeritageId=1219) and will be refurbished. The lovely Grand Central Gardens on the site of the old Shell building will also go - what a tragedy.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/andrewpert/P1080024.jpg


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/andrewpert/P1080025.jpg

hopefully for the last time, the new 357 Collins st

lets hope they get a serious builder this time, should still be 133m

Here Here Here. Bob and Wendy would be better than the last bunch. :)

cremorne: :lol: well that 20L thing will do then :D :D

thanks for clearing that up btw.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/andrewpert/P1080025.jpg

Refurbish it with a wrecking ball I say. Dreary building.

Btw, what's Grand Central???

Check this link for an article about Grand Central.


http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/08/1086460294472.html?from=storylhs

Thanks.

357 Collins Street as it looks now is a crime against humanity!
Hurry up and finish!!!! :bash:

Here's the Capital Gain article (16/07)

The end's in sight

Silence, rather than the racket of impact drills and jackhammers, has long been associated with the redevelopment of the former Stock Exchange House in Collins Street. For more than a decade, work on the CBD's former financial shrine has taken place intermittently, to the exasperation of industry observers.

However, it seems the work is finally coming to an end. Developer and owner Maxicity has been seen prowling the market of late in an attempt to secure an anchor tenant for the new building. And for the first time, the market has been given an image of what the redevelopment will look like.

The 35,000-square-metre building was bought for almost $11 million by Ai Ong Mah and Siew King Mah, who control Maxicity and are reported to be members of one of Malaysia's wealthiest families.

Appointed to help Maxicity market the soon-to-be-completed building, to be known as 357 Collins Street, is Knight Frank leasing stalwart Michael Nunan, who claims to have interested parties in tow.

The original twin-tower proposal for the redevelopment has been abandoned, but a new Collins Street facade has been added to the building and floorplates have been extended to 1700 square metres on the lower rise and 1500 square metres on the upper rise.

Together with side-core lifts, Mr Nunan believes the floorplate sizes and new fit-out will impress some sectors of the market.

yet another concept for 357 Collins

http://www.axiomstudio.com.au/hr-08.jpg

anyway work is ongoing on the lower levels of the existing extension, ahhh who knows...

The scafolding on Collins St has been removed an the new extension is being made ready! But for what?

Maybe they're about to get cracking on finishing off the rest of the tower. :dunno:

isnt there 150m height restriction in that area?

yet another concept for 357 Collins

http://www.axiomstudio.com.au/hr-08.jpg

anyway work is ongoing on the lower levels of the existing extension, ahhh who knows...

hmmm...that's not too shabby...is it?

I rather like that... or maybe i'm just over tired. :)

An application has been submitted for "Modification of South Tower facades" which must have something to do with the chnage of plans for the south tower from residential to office.

good, get a move on!

C'mon big fella, it's starting to get cold here, bloody cold. Warm us up with a bit of German xxx rated love stories...............................

hmmm...that's not too shabby...is it?

http://www.axiomstudio.com.au/hr-08.jpg

I rather like that... or maybe i'm just over tired. :)

looks like another 500 footer... nice

http://www.togermano.com/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif

Yeah, not much has gone on has it? hah

For us interstaters, what eventually happened with this? Did they just stop @ the lower half extension and refurb? Anyone got a recent pic or can take one or two please?

All that is on Emporis is the render for the whole proposal and BTW, it's listed as 351 Collins Street (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/sh/?id=100504&txt=351+Collins&button=Search).

Anyone know what's happened to this? Progress? Nothing?

A 'show floor' has been completed to assist the marketing, it's close to the upper level of the extended floors - column grid is all over the place btw.

More importantly, the foyer is now coming together, a peep through the hoardings reveals ceilings completed, marble being laid and light fittings installed - watch this space.

Aparently the guy who owns it is from Singapore, and does projects all over the world. He's only here like once every month or something. That's why it's taken forever.

Aparently the guy who owns it is from Singapore, and does projects all over the world. He's only here like once every month or something. That's why it's taken forever.

Does all the work himself does he? This has been under development for five years now, what a balls up!

Thanks Agent X, will keep my eyes firmly on this space.

Bought by Maxicity for $10,850,000 in December 1994. Maxicity is owned by Ai Ong Mah and Siew King Mah of Kew. The Mah family actually have their office in the building and on ocassion can be seen supervising work themselves !!

:down: They should just demolish this building and start all over again! :evil:

^^ That's what I was thinking... It all hardly seems to be worth the trouble.

I really don't get this article, especially as it was accompanied by a render of 357 totally refurbished:

Business - Commercial Property
Neglected tower gets second life
Marc Pallisco
21 November 2007
The Age

IT WAS once at the heart of Melbourne's financial district and has the reputation of occupying the best position on Collins Street.

But for almost 15 years, the former Australian Stock Exchange headquarters at 357 Collins Street sat derelict and vacant.

Until this week. For the first time since the ASX moved from the building to 530 Collins Street in the early 1990s, the 23-level building will reopen, much to the delight of prospective office tenants looking for scarce CBD space.

The building, on the south-side of Collins Street and in a highly populated pocket of skyscrapers between Queen and Elizabeth streets, will add 22,000 square metres of A-grade, environmentally sustainable office space to Melbourne's CBD stock.

Knight Frank director Michael Nunan is marketing the property - the first substantial lick of Collins Street office space to come on to the market outside of Docklands for some years.

"It's a well-located building, coming into the market when there's an extreme shortage of office accommodation," Mr Nunan said.

"It meets the criteria tenants expect today, including large floor plates and sustainability initiatives."

The building was built for ANZ Bank in 1968 and has been fully refurbished.

This has included building office space over the forecourt, adding 1500 square metres to the overall size. The entrance foyer is a modern mix of glass and stainless steel, with a dramatic water feature.

Mr Nunan said rents in the new building would start at about $300 a square metre.

The timing of a building launch couldn't be better for the two private investors who own the building, Ai Ong Mah and Siew King Mah, both registered as living in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

According to the Property Council of Australia, office vacancy levels in the Melbourne CBD have fallen from a peak of 26.64% in 1993, to just 5.95% today.

For A-grade CBD offices specifically, vacancy levels have fallen from 19.34% to 7.08% over the same period.

Knight Frank Research expects both A-grade and overall vacancy levels to continue to drop, steadying at a rate of less than 5% early next year.

This office leasing environment, where demand for office space exceeds supply, has resulted in strong rent rises, over the past year in particular.

According to Knight Frank Research, A-grade rents now average about $300 a sq m after incentives (the rental discount offered to tenants). This compares with a rate of about $250 a sq m this time last year.

The former ASX office building can command a higher rent on account of its location in a prime zone in an established and very much "in demand" Collins Street pocket near retail amenities and Flinders Street Station.

Major tenants to sign for new buildings in the past year include Australia Post, which leased space at the SX2 office building on Bourke Street, Victoria Police, which re-committed to existing offices in Docklands, and the Australian Tax Office, which will move to 414 La Trobe Street.

Other tenants still in the market for CBD space include Fujitsu, which is looking for up to 6000 sq m of office space, Herald & Weekly Times (18,000 sq m) and engineering firm Connell Wagner, which is looking for between 8000 and 9000 sq m, according to sources.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3177/357collinsnb2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I liked what I saw in The Age today! Very New Yorkish!

excuse my ignorance but what is that building that is being shown in that render? Has that building already built or not?? lol im lost sorry if this is a stupid question

excuse my ignorance but what is that building that is being shown in that render? Has that building already built or not?? lol im lost sorry if this is a stupid question

It's the proposed tower that will go next to 357 Collins St. Hasn't been built yet.

cool thanx..i thought so but i thought i might ask..any idea how many metres is will be? loox like a fairly decent height for that area

Its shorter than the one next to it.

by around 6 levels...

357 Collins is 153m so I'm guessing this will be around in the 120s to 130m range.

That tower is 357 Collins, it's just what it will look like once it's fully refurbished, the article says it has already been fully refurbished but a wander down Collins St proves this isn't the case, only the first 10 floors have been extended and fitout.

The existing building was to be fully refurbished and reclad and a permit was issued for a 34 level apartment or office tower on Flinders Lane behind the existing building that will have a height of 133m.

The project was meant to be finished 4 years ago :-)

so that 34 level building is still expected to be completed?? talk about taking their time lol

Stage 1 (construction commenced):
- Refurbishment of 1960's 22 storey former Stock Exchange House building
Stage 1B:
- Refurbishment of foyer & 1st floor of former Stock Exchange House
Stage 2:Construction of 34 storey building on Flinders Ln street frontage:
- 10 level car park (270 spaces)
- Commercial offices (20,000 sq m)
- 100 x 2 bedroom apartments plus balconies
- 2 penthouses on 2 top levels
- Commercial & car park lift access
- Apartment lift access, security & internet cabling
- Signage
- LandscapingProject value $70 million Approximate

:) Thanks for your help

http://www.realestatesource.com.au/Victoria/Former-ASX-Building-Collins-Street-For-Sale-Unrenovated.html

Former ASX Building, Collins Street, For Sale Unrenovated
Written by Marc Pallisco
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
SIXTEEN years after shutting its doors to occupants, the former Stock Exchange House building at 351-357 Collins Street is to be sold.

Sources expect private investment company MaxiCity to make about $50million from the 22-level building at 357Collins Street, which was the home of the ASX during the heady market boom and bust of the 1980s.

The 41-year-old building sat vacant for almost a decade after the ASX moved to 530Collins Street.

It was slowly extended earlier this decade, although a substantial interior renovation is incomplete.

The building's next owner will have to pay for any continuing works before the building can be put to the market for lease.

Colliers International managing director John Marasco is marketing the Collins Street building with Matthew Stagg. He said the 21,455-square-metre office will be sold with vacant possession

about time

They should just demolish that eyesore and start again with a design fitting its location in the heart of the best street in Oz! :yes:

:yes:
They should just demolish that eyesore and start again with a design fitting its location in the heart of the best street in Oz! :yes:
:yes:

Ive had this old article for years but for some reason I didn't write the date on it !!!!!
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4003/collinsstlarge.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/my.php?image=collinsstlarge.jpg)
and this is probably out of date as well....
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3050/hr08large.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hr08large.jpg)
and may as well chuck this one in as well......probably posted these before.....?
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4061/old005large.jpg (http://img17.imageshack.us/my.php?image=old005large.jpg)

^^ Pity the ARM (I think) proposal never took off.

Real Estate Source

$32 Million For Melbourne's Former ASX Building
Monday, 22 June 2009 00:19

Property developer Bill McNee is speculated to be in advanced negotiations to buy the former stock exchange building at 351 Collins Street, for about $32 million.

The half-renovated 23-level building, which has been vacant since about 1993, was listed for sale in March for about $50 million.

Vendor, private investment company MaxiCity, made the unusual decision to sell the building, rather than complete a major office renovation. It tried unsuccessfully for the 18 months prior to find a tenant to take the 21,455 square metre office, between Queen and Elizabeth streets.

Mr McNee, on behalf of his company VicLand Property Group, declined to comment on any part of a deal when contacted.

Mr McNee’s recent private development ventures include South Yarra’s White Charlie nightclub, in which he partied with former cricketer Shane Warne, Michael Clarke and 500 other guests at the launch last year.

The Chapel Street based developer also owns residential, retail and office development sites throughout Melbourne.

Let's hope my old mate Bill does something with that site ASAP

I would love it if the old ASX was demolished, replaced with a a building that would cover the whole core of the Optus building next door and was tallest on that block...:)

Keep dreaming Dockside.

^^
I know im dreaming, o well its all i can do at the moment, like winning the 50 million tatts draw tonight, im dreaming....lol

http://spc.fotologs.net/photo/12/9/126/elbaul/1179815927_f.jpg

Business - Commercial Property
New plan to redevelop CBD 'ghost building' site
MARC PALLISCO
17 October 2009

The Age

CAPITAL GAIN

MELBOURNE'S former financial centre — and one of the CBD's few "ghost buildings" — is to be remarketed, after a change in strategy.

Sixteen years after shutting its doors, the former Australian Stock Exchange building at 357 Collins Street will be redeveloped into a mixed-use village of shops, offices and about 220 apartments, across two towers.

The proposal will include development of a new retail arcade with strata office suites connecting the two towers.

The prominent building — in the pocket of Collins Street between Queen and Elizabeth streets — runs the length of the block, to Flinders Lane at the south.

"The first release of 136 apartments from the North Tower is happening in around eight weeks time," a spokesman for owner M.Inc told Capital Gain. "Five levels at the base of the North Tower will be dedicated to about 4000 square metres of commercial space."

The proposal replaces a 2007 plan to redevelop the entire 22,000 sq m building into offices.

The ASX has moved twice since 357, first to 530 Collins Street and then to the Rialto, where it has been since 2006.

Will be called District357:

http://www.district357.com/

sounds great! still not exactly sure what's going on but boosting the cultural aspects of that area would be great as its a bit dead atm

eh good luck to them.

Apartments are now selling for this one.

Sounds like the plans for this have changed yet again. Site bought by Australand who are looking to convert the building into A-Grade office space - as reported in Capital Gain.

This building getting demolished?

351-357 COLLINS STREET MELBOURNE VIC 3000 (TPM-1999-1413/A)

Demolition of buildings and development and use of the land for purposes including but not limited to Offices, Car parking, Dwellings, Residential hotel, and shops

For more information: http://www.planningalerts.org.au/applications/24140

it isn't being demolished completely. its really additional works keeping most of the original structure.

oh okay thanks.

you know what australand are planning to do with the site?
like are they going to refurb the tower/build another tower like the other proposal or?

Current:
22 stories and 19,000m2 GFA

New:
- 22 stories and 48,000m2 GFA (34,000 NLFA)
- 2.5m setback to Collins Street for levels 11-22 (existing setback is 13 metres)
- new floor space on the Flinders Lane frontage at levels 7-10
- about 300m2 additional floorspace per level 11-22 at the rear of the Collins Street frontage but still about a 33m setback frmo Flinders Lane.

Biggest changes to other proposals for the site (eg. District 357 proposal) is that the Flinders Lane extension is so minimal. District 357 was 34m higher in total (approx 10 floors) and rather than raising the Flinders Lane frontage from 7-11 floors it would have raised it to 20ish floors with minimal setback.

I would love it if the old ASX was demolished, replaced with a a building that would cover the whole core of the Optus building next door and was tallest on that block...:)

There was a plan to build a new tower on this site...I have the newspaper cutting....but can't post pics or that stuff anymore.......It was the tallest building in that block, the only height constraint was the shadow on the Yarra.....people in boats would get lost if a shadow was cast on the water..maybe an old Aboriginal custom ?

^
lol, was that from the 80s-early 90s ??
Thats when skyrise building was king in Melbs, o-well those days are dead for now :(

The Age

Australand banks on 357 Collins project
July 28, 2010

Property group Australand expects a $120m profit repeat, writes Philip Hopkins.

THE redevelopment of 357 Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD is a key part of the development pipeline for Australand, which has tipped net profit this year to be similar to last year's $120 million.

The diversified property group, which yesterday reported net profit of $72.2 million for the half-year to June 30, also cited the Altona Gardens industrial estate in Altona as another big Victorian project that would strengthen its performance in the year ahead.

The $72 million net profit included investment property valuation gains of $11.8 million. The figure compared with last June's $269 million loss, which was badly affected by lower valuations due to the global financial crisis.

Operating profit for this year's June half was $60.4 million, while revenue was down 10 per cent to $281.5 million. Gearing was 27.1 per cent.

The investment property division posted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $82.6 million, while the commercial and industrial division EBIT was $10.9 million, and residential EBIT $23.7 million.

The company declared an unfranked half-year distribution of 10¢ per security, payable on August 5, with a registration date of June 30, and foreshadowed another 10.5¢ with its full-year results.

Managing director Bob Johnston said Australand had strengthened its commercial and industrial pipeline with the acquisition of 357 Collins Street ($45 million) and Altona Gardens ($30 million).

He told BusinessDay that work had started on 357 Collins, which would be refurbished and expanded to include an extra 10,000 square metres of office space - to 30,000 sq m.

The property consists of two towers, with the lower tower in Flinders Lane at the rear having an extra five levels added. The front tower would be brought forward to Collins Street. An additional 2000 sq m of retail space - food, coffee and specialist shops - would be built on the ground floor in Flinders Lane.

Mr Johnston said the project should be completed by the fourth quarter of next year. ''It will be the perfect time to come on to the market in Melbourne. Vacancy rates are low and will continue to tighten, peaking at less than 5 per cent. That will be the best time to lease,'' he said. The company aims to have the building 75 per cent leased when ready.

Mr Johnston said Australand was aiming for a 4.5 star environmental rating. The building had been vacant for about 16 years, which would make the refurbishment much easier.

The 32-hectare Altona industrial estate had a master plan and would be taken to the market relatively quickly. ''We will try and make the master plan flexible so the estate can take bigger tenants and smaller owner-occupiers,'' he said.

Mr Johnston said the outlook for residential housing in Melbourne was good, with the city adding more than 100,000 jobs - 25 per cent of the national total - in the past year. ''People with jobs need houses and Melbourne is more affordable,'' he said.

Australand had a range of housing projects to offer, from a new estate in Croydon to one in Wallan in the outer north, and social housing projects, he said.

Australand's shares closed at $2.60, up 2¢.

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/7572/357c.jpg (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/357c.jpg/)

spose someone will lease it, but fark, lost opportunity. :(

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/7572/357c.jpg (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/357c.jpg/)

:sleepy: BORING!
Potential site for a future iconic building though. :)

Looks like work has begun..
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/photo50.jpg

Now after all the hurdles that has hindered the project's progress, are they really going to tear down 351 Colliins Street or is it still getting refurbished?

read the threads mate!

2 threads in a row your points have been pointless.

being refurbished and extended.

:lol: well said JP, was thinking the same thing.

Newer renders:
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/357.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/3571.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/3572.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/3573.jpg

Meh...

Boooooooooooooooooorrrrriiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnggg!!!

I like it.

Boooooooooooooooooorrrrriiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnggg!!!Totally agree, what a wasted opportunity! :ohno:

Think about it, this is the centre of Collins Street, the numero uno street in Melbourne, if not Australia and what will we will end up with, one of the worst looking refurbishment/extension of a 1960's building ever.

This should never have been accepted!! :soapbox:

MEDIOCRITY SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED!!!

meh, im not fussed, its not that tall anyway so nothing is going to overly draw ppl to look at it, and glass is always a big winner with me so im happy to an extent

I do hope this building gets off the ground. Its been a disaster site for too long.

Totally agree, what a wasted opportunity! :ohno:

Think about it, this is the centre of Collins Street, the numero uno street in Melbourne, if not Australia and what will we will end up with, one of the worst looking refurbishment/extension of a 1960's building ever.

This should never have been accepted!! :soapbox:

MEDIOCRITY SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED!!!

I agree 200%
Collins St should have a overlay on development sites that demands excellence in design, not since the 80s and 90s has anything of much chop been done along here.
The only building proposal from the last 20 years that fits the bill would be 568 ( is that the address ??) I think its going to be called Collins Tower, anyway that one is a winner..
I want those days back again, not this cheap and nasty world we live in today...

The design isn't anything special, but at least it's better than how it was going to end up as apartments:
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/district357.jpg

...the same as it is now.

Backside of the building from this afternoon. Excuse the images, glass was very dirty.

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/5074/357c1.jpg
http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/6012/357c2.jpg
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/1369/357c3.jpg

Its about time this ugly monster, sitting in a prime position is back in action [again].

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/city-ghost-gets-new-lease-of-life-20101129-18dx9.html

City 'ghost' gets new lease of life
Marika Dobbin
November 30, 2010

MELBOURNE'S tallest ''ghost'' building has loomed empty and silent over the CBD for almost two decades. But the dust and cobwebs are finally being cleared from the old stock exchange at 357 Collins Street for an expensive makeover that involves some the city's biggest names.

The 23-storey office building and its neighbour, the Rialto Towers, are part of a planned culinary district that it is hoped will lead to a rejuvenation of the CBD's financial hub.

While no names have been confirmed, The Age believes that tapas bar MoVida, coffee roastery St Ali and a luxury European fashion retailer are all in exclusive negotiations to open at the base of the redeveloped office building.
Advertisement: Story continues below

Agent CBRE confirmed it was in contract talks with ''some of Melbourne best hospitality retailers'', but declined to say who.

The building has been empty since the stock exchange moved out in 1992, despite a few development attempts by the Malaysian company that previously owned it.

Developer Australand paid $45 million for the disused tower in March and will spend up to $80 million renovating it.

Further along Collins Street, at the Rialto, chef Raymond Capaldi last week opened his latest restaurant, Hare and Grace. And Italian restaurateur Guy Grossi's new eatery, The Merchant, held its launch party in the forecourt of the skyscraper on Wednesday.

The Rialto is also undergoing a massive rejuvenation program of its office and retail space, with Shannon Bennett's Vue de Monde restaurant expected to open on the old observation deck in April.

CBRE senior negotiator Max Cookes said Australand would turn Fulham Place into an upmarket laneway of eateries and wine bars. He said yet another famous chef was interested in opening a large restaurant on the first floor, with balconies on to Flinders Lane and Fulham Place.

Hospitality consultant Tony Eldred said Melbourne already had one of the highest densities of restaurants in the world and the new eateries could struggle to turn a profit.

Australand has started internal demolition work to overhaul the old stock exchange's two towers and add new parts to the building that will increase the office space by a third.

''It's been a big void in the Melbourne streetscape for a long time and we are going to bring it back to life,'' Australand's Sean McMahon said. ''It's going to look like a brand-new building, with new facades.''

Mr McMahon said the credit crunch had caused a shortage in the construction of new office buildings. Retrofitting an existing building was quicker in meeting the demand for more office space, he said.

The redevelopment now leaves the former Telecom building in the William Street legal district as the city's tallest ghost. Singaporean billionaire Tay Tee Peng purchased the 21-storey building, known as Communications House, when Telecom moved out in 1994. He spent $10 million refurbishing it, but it has remained vacant ever since.

Work on the old stock exchange is expected to be completed by early 2012.

About time... This should have been done years ago. Hopefully more old disused office buildings will be brought back into use such as the old Telecom building. It would be nice to see the lights flick on again after a long period in darkness.

About time... This should have been done years ago. Hopefully more old disused office buildings will be brought back into use such as the old Telecom building. It would be nice to see the lights flick on again after a long period in darkness.

I want them gone tbh.
The old Telecom building site is huge, would be a sweet spot for a really tall tower imo and not the pile of shiit thats there now.

I suppose... but Im to afraid to say that just in case someone comes along and replaces it with something worse. I personally really would like a Skyscraper modelled on the Willis Tower (Sears Tower) or the WTC1 (Freedom Tower) I think something like that would look awesome in Melbournes skyline.. not that we would copy the design exactly.. it would have to be much taller :) but apparently for some reason all our building firms have given up on the dream of building the biggest and most beautiful skyscraper possible and are sticking to small, compact and over-the-top futuristic designs that look nice on paper but once finished remind me of a half made rubix cube :( lol

crane already firing

http://oi51.tinypic.com/98y4x1.jpg

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/P3272598-1.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/P3272597-1.jpg

^^ Great density shot!!

CBA Leases 8500 Square Metres at 357 Collins Street, Melbourne
Written by Marc Pallisco
Wednesday, 13 April 2011 12:48

COMMONWEALTH Bank of Australia has leased 8500 square metres of refurbished office space within the Collins Street building that once acted as Melbourne's stock exchange.

The lease, for levels 6 to 10, are for an initial 10-year period. CBA is paying rent of $385 per square metre, per annum, presumably prior to incentives (discounts offered off this "face" rent, common in most CBD leases nowadays).

Australand purchased the vacant building from Asian investors last year, which failed to relaunch the building as an apartment project. Sources say that residential conversion would never have worked given the building only has a handful of car spaces.

Refurbishment of the building is due in the first half of 2012.

All up 357 Collins Street will include 30,000 square metres of A-grade space (which is one level below Premium grade space).At lower levels, 1800 square metres of retail space will also be available.

Sorry to dig this thread up, but the development will see LVMH open it's luxury brand, Thomas Pink open up shop, taking Collins street frontage, this will be the Australian Flagship as well as the only standalone in Australia/Pacific. Hopefully they have a very nice classic street facade install for us

City shop in the Pink
Philip Hopkins
June 22, 2011

BRITISH luxury shirt maker Thomas Pink is to open its first Australian flagship store in Melbourne. It will be the anchor tenanty shirt store, Thomas Pink *for the retail component of Australand's 357 Collins Street redevelopment in Melbourne's CBD, taking out 110 square metres of space.

Thomas Pink, which operates under the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy umbrella, has signed a five-year lease over the premises, which provides large frontage to Collins Street. The new store will open in the first half of next year.

The Thomas Pink lease was negotiated by CB Richard Ellis. The tenancy will be modelled on Thomas Pink's new store concept, which made its debut earlier this year in London.

Advertisement: Story continues below
''We are working through a retail leasing marketing campaign for the rest of the retail, with a focus on hospitality and service retailers,'' CBRE senior manager Max Crookes said.

The building will incorporate two levels of retail space. It will feature around 18 tenancies and has been designed to rejuvenate neighbouring Fulham Place. It will link Fulham Place through to Collins Street via the main building, creating a new restaurant and cafe precinct.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/city-shop-in-the-pink-20110621-1gdh1.html

No need to apologise - it's news relevant to the project.

/\/\ Best business shirts ever.....good result

^^ Agree. Mickeebee, as an alternative, try www.yolkshirts.com. Fantastic, tailored shirts for not much cash. Sorry to be off subject but I do love shirts...

Good to see another retailer join the scene.

floorplate on the way up

http://oi55.tinypic.com/n18bgn.jpg

http://oi51.tinypic.com/2nrg45d.jpg

^^

WOW the first picture above is a classic

^^
Yeah...for a second there I thought I was looking at a shot of New York!

I wonder when the QBE Insurance eyesore will be going.. same with the optus building - they are high up on my eyesores list.

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/P7243166.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/P7243165.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/P7243161.jpg

I wonder when the QBE Insurance eyesore will be going.. same with the optus building - they are high up on my eyesores list.

I'd be in favor of preserving the optus tower as a good early "super tall" (for the time in Melb) and a clean, modernist pile.

I'm still not sure what exactly they're doing with this.

Are they just refurbishing the existing building or building a new one?

i thik its a refurb with a few new extra levels!

A refurb with a few additional levels is excactly what it is

its a little bit fancy for a refurb though.

as the existing levels of the building are not only being refurbed but extended. I think they extend about 10m further out on the Collins Street side all the way up and on the Flinders Lane side I think about 20m additional depth but only for 10ish levels.

July 8 2011

Sorry for not posting earlier.

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/2556/img9611aa.jpg
By fabianamuso (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/fabianamuso) at 2011-08-12

i still can't believe this refurb has been going on for 10 years now...

http://oi53.tinypic.com/2hmg74i.jpg

http://oi53.tinypic.com/v8h3q9.jpg

http://oi56.tinypic.com/2cprsdh.jpg

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/da1213fa.jpg

not the best facade going around

http://oi41.tinypic.com/or6pfa.jpg

http://oi44.tinypic.com/14u14l.jpg

http://oi44.tinypic.com/5mmsr5.jpg

^ Really not a fan. Just looks too plain.

Good updates though :)

Walked past today and loved looking up

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/2196/img3176uw.jpg

not the best facade going around

http://oi41.tinypic.com/or6pfa.jpg

http://oi44.tinypic.com/14u14l.jpg

http://oi44.tinypic.com/5mmsr5.jpg
don't know what you were expecting, they were hardly going to start a new facade design half way up!

they've managed to throw in two levels of blue for no reason. the biggest problem from existing to new facade are the lime bands covering the floorplates, as opposed to black bands on lower levels - minor change for maximum cheap shithouse effect.

the flinders lane facade will be unbroken navy blue

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/sorryspeilberg/IMG_2700.jpg

http://oi44.tinypic.com/33fgniw.jpg

http://oi39.tinypic.com/a109i.jpg

http://oi39.tinypic.com/28ja0zm.jpg

Great pics silver. Here's another from me.
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_0995.jpg

Are they in the process of painting that building in the front left of the last pic there?

^^ It's actually been like that since xmas. Don't know if they were trying something out, but hasn't progressed since then.

Shame because if they did what it looks like they were/are planning, that building would look so much better.

It has recently had a new ground floor fit-out and new artistic styled awning things attached. Looks much better than it did.

Glazing has started on the lower back section facing Flinders Lane

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2144/img3646jb.jpg
By erektion (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/erektion) at 2012-02-23

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1260.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1259.jpg

I Was at Southbank tonight and got some quick snaps, spur of the moment...

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u307/ashdog236/SDC11065.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u307/ashdog236/SDC11064.jpg

How much better does that newly painted building on the left hand side look? Noticed it being done when I was staying at Crown recently.

Strange. I hope the entire building gets the same update as it seem as though its just on the south face of the building.

Well of course they will do the entire building. You have to start somewhere and end somewhere and it is best to work from the top down, one facade at a time. Derrr!!!

Well its taken a while since the first brush. Great shot though of a work in progress, before and after shot.

^^ They're doing the whole building. They've put put protective scaffolding over Queen Street today, assume this means they're now starting the front facade.

Kind of looks Mondrian-esque, love it from this view.

Today

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v167/tehflan/4f378d97.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/314347_10151320021713294_502867673_n.jpghttps://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/185467_10151320028273294_291187284_n.jpg

Thx. Is this really 133m? It looks way shorter than the 150m Optus tower.

http://s17.postimage.org/w28pnimmn/IMG_2507.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

That small purple building bottom middle is an absolute disgrace in this day and age. Council needs to take control and do something about it:bash:

It's a great facade though, if it was fixed up. Throw up a 20 tower behind it and it'd be great.

The brown building middle left is yuck. Is it heritage listed?

This building is 95m high. The 133m residetial tower at the back was never built and the exisiting building was only increased in height by about 3 metres.

The brown building middle left is yuck. Is it heritage listed?
in a heritage precinct I think. I'ts a disgrace that it's been left to ruin, with the inside used as a carpark.
Found a pic of it from around the time it was built (2nd building from left), the ground floor has been demolished, but the rest just needs a bit of fixing up.
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h446/tdddd/0_281100.jpg
forget bombsites, council should be talking about restoring heritage buildings like this and on Swanston st etc..

Going on that pic, they must've extended floors on the Rendezvous Hotel site to meet the old Com House building? Or was Com House the smaller building. I Remember being able to cut through to Flinders Lane by taking the long corridors of Commercial House. All those unused offices, which building had that devo nightclub downstairs...the one that got raided years ago and everyone was lined up outside and stripped searched? That'd be at least 20 years or so ago now.

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj520/glennwilson2/DSC02330_zps194f9707.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj520/glennwilson2/DSC02331_zps64385c04.jpg

I don't think I was allowed in here yet, just so happened to walk in while others were.

http://s13.postimage.org/y0oxr9daf/IMG_3833.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s13.postimage.org/6eqrkbjbb/IMG_3834.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s13.postimage.org/h2uij5taf/IMG_3836.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s13.postimage.org/ci8c489l3/IMG_3837.jpg (http://postimage.org/)