^^ Thanks for all the updates. The efforts are greatly appreciated.

The variation of glass on this one makes them interesting. The reflective glass quality is also a good addition. Overall it's a solid development, without being anything too standout, which is still a good outcome.

It should've been called 'Collins lill Boxes' !!!

Ps... Great updates

I think we work for the same company Shumway, that picture could have been taken from my desk haha

Level 8 meeting room :)

Level 8 meeting room :)

Over towards North hey, will have to take a walk over and take a look today :)

is this the ATO? anyone know how many metres tall it will be? 80m

ATO is 76.5m tall from memory.

Collins Square website finally up and running:

http://www.collinssquare.com.au/home.asp#intro

O h great, the one page i wanted to open up and view (animation) is still coming soon. Oh well, fingers crossed for 38 Levels...

It's interesting that it talks about 5 buildings but always leaves the 5th out of the renders.

Where on earth would a 5th tower go anyway?

It's interesting that it talks about 5 buildings but always leaves the 5th out of the renders.

Is it possible that the 5th building could just be the Lantern building and Rail Goods Shed ??

It's interesting that it talks about 5 buildings but always leaves the 5th out of the renders.


See http://www.collinssquare.com.au/design/

Definitely 5 towers.

After looking at their site above i noticed that Building 5 is just anouther bog standard building thats going to be located next to that lone ressi building, it doesn't look to dis-similar to a multi-level carpark.
Bla bla bla....

This could have been one 80 storey office tower with 'campus sized' 2,500 square metre floorplates]

Hey Grollo, so that would make a 200,000 sqm building right ? so what level of pre-commitment would be required to obtain finance for such a development ? let's say 50% (too low) which means you need a 100,000 sqm tenant . . . . . . in Melbourne. :ohno:

OK, so who have we got ? Telstra, ANZ, NAB - all locked in, so it's pretty easy to work out that aspirations as above are pipe-dream stuff, even if you had a chance to get one of these big guys to consolidate in one location, you aren't going to stack the viability of a $1 billion project on only 3 tenants :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:

People just can't seem to believe that the product that gets delivered is 100% driven by demand that can be feasibly accommodated within the local planning framework.

After looking at their site above i noticed that Building 5 is just anouther bog standard building thats going to be located next to that lone ressi building, it doesn't look to dis-similar to a multi-level carpark.
Bla bla bla....

5th building (4E) to be located where Built's project office complex sits, adjacent 4C.

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/310a9752.jpg

The Good's Shed has been redesigned:
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/cs.jpg

I think the retail component will do wonders for Docklands:
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/csretail.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/csretails.jpg

^^ I don't like the redesigned goods shed building.

The retail looks promising, but it may well take a few years to be successful. Atleast it's well activated throughout the site.

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/cb4cb344.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/sorryspeilberg/PhotoMapsbyNearMap-1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/sorryspeilberg/PhotoMapsbyNearMap-22.jpg

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/IMG_0450.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/IMG_0454.jpg
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/IMG_0456.jpg

Goods Shed:
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/IMG_0453.jpg

didn't notice until driving past today (and you can also see it in m12's second photo, cheers for all the photos btw) but it looks like the work experience kid installed a dark blue panel in the light blue section... you can just see it now, 'umm, boss. remember how i wasn't meant to bother you unless something bad happened, well ...'

This development is boring me to tears.
Sure, we love bleak in this town, but it's just 4 dark bleak blocks, on a site that offered something vastly more interesting.
Or as Grollo said elsewhere...
'yawn'.
well put.

Blue

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/sorryspeilberg/IMG_2946.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/sorryspeilberg/IMG_2947.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/sorryspeilberg/IMG_2948.jpg

Looks amazing. I love that glass.

^^ Fully agree.

The glass is top quality. Een though its a fairly standard design, atleast the materials used seem to be of a high standard.

the OCD in me is having trouble with the patterns not matching though...

This.

Surely, that is an error? Looks silly.

^^ :lol: if that is a mistake (and it looks like it is, how can that be the design?), did the people building this just move over from the UK where they just completed this job?

http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/oct2009/4/6/bus-stor-pic-men-128400525.jpg

It's just ~edgy~

This development is boring me to tears.
Sure, we love bleak in this town, but it's just 4 dark bleak blocks, on a site that offered something vastly more interesting.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/01452a44.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/2b634185.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/38ad2aa3.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/6df0449a.jpg

^Is that the current design ? It does look like its up to date, so im guessing yes!!.
I count approx a 30L tower, and its a good design too, so im happy with it..
I would rather the Police HQ move here even if that means haulting that re-development of the Melb Congress Centre, much better that this gets up over that one..

Thanks for the good oil Agent X.

Good. I'm glad Im not the only one!

The new renders look great! Does anyone have an render of the original pattern? Is it a mistake?? It's hard to imagine it is...

Good. I'm glad Im not the only one!

The new renders look great! Does anyone have an render of the original pattern? Is it a mistake?? It's hard to imagine it is...

Also what camera are you using? The photos really do look good enough to be renders.

I'm fairly certain the pattern is correct.

Love the new renders. Bout time they designed something interesting.

Surely, that is an error? Looks silly.

Agree it looks odd, although a mistake like that is hard to believe / justify. Although, it is Built's 1st big job!....

Also what camera are you using? The photos really do look good enough to be renders.

It's just my iPhone 4. Pretty good point and shoot camera, but forget night/low light or zooming in. I will buy a proper SLR this year and finally take some decent shots.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/01452a44.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/2b634185.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/38ad2aa3.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/6df0449a.jpg

A modest improvement!!
Blue

webcam

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/sorryspeilberg/LivewebcamofVictoriaHarbour-3-1.jpg

^^ Starting to look very dense there. I like that angle. Add in the future CS buildings to come and it will look even more impressive.

Yep it's only gonna become more dense as the Collins Square precinct takes shape. Judging by a previous render, tower D is 30 stories so at height of 4.1m per floor plus an architectual feature on top it's still possible that it could nudge 150m...

Collins Square on the up
Philip Hopkins
February 8, 2012

An artists impression of the Docklands development.

An artists impression of the Docklands development.

AS THE dark-glassed building slowly reaches higher into the sky, the newest corner of Docklands - Walker Corporation's $1.3 billion Collins Square development - is making its mark.

The 38,000-square-metre tower will be the home of the Australian Taxation Office, and it is expected to be finished by Easter.

It will be the first cab off the rank in what is now Australia's largest commercial development. Now 40 per cent pre-leased, Collins Square covers 180,000 square metres of net lettable area in five towers and 10,000 square metres of retail space.
Advertisement: Story continues below
Building work under way on the goods shed.

Building work under way on the goods shed.

It aims to be a bridge between Docklands and the rapidly developing north bank of the Yarra River. ''We are trying to create the new heart of Docklands,'' Walker Corporation chairman, Lang Walker, told The Age. He expected the whole project to be completed in five years.

Another tower covering 40,000 square metres for Marsh Mercer Companies is well under way, with completion expected by April 2013.

The 11,000-square-metre heritage-listed Goods Shed is also being refurbished to its former glory. Publisher, The Pearson Group, has leased the building for 10 years. Mr Walker said another tenant was likely for the clock tower facing Flinders Street.
Building work under way on the towers.

Building work under way on the towers.

With 180 metres of frontage on to Collins Street, Collins Square will have direct linkages to Spencer Street Railway Station, as well as trams, car and bus arteries.

Bates Smart has created a master plan for the project, which includes extensive retail and landscaped public spaces that will be protected from Docklands' sometimes woolly weather.

There will be intersecting lanes and large retail areas for shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and a gym.

The retail masterplan has been developed by the Buchan Group, with the development to eventually serve the estimated 48,000 people who live and work in the western Collins Street area.

The three other office towers will be respectively 30,000, 50,000 and 22,000 square metres. Mr Walker said there were a number of users who would be able to take up large slabs of office space.

''On the retail, we are talking to the supermarkets about being an anchor tenant,'' he said. ''Once you get started on the project and people see what is happening, that brings more interest.'' Mr Walker said his company looked to pre-commitment before starting construction. ''We are not a speculative builder. That's something we definitely do not do - take too much risk.''

The restoration of the Goods Shed is well under way. The shed traverses the eastern boundary of the precinct and is being converted to retain the heritage-listed features of the 121-year-old building, including high ceilings, clerestory windows, exposed trusses, brick work and cast-iron columns. The interiors are being transformed into a light-filled, open office environment with the latest technology.

Basso Project Management and architects BVN are working closely with Walker on the conversion. BVN worked on the interior design of the northern, other half of the Goods Shed, which is owned by Lorenz Grollo's Equiset.

The original shed was cut in two to allow for the Collins Street extension. Equiset spent $65 million refurbishing the northern building, which now has a five-star environmental rating.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/collins-square-on-the-up-20120207-1r536.html#ixzz1m2hJ4CDS

With 180 metres of frontage on to Collins Street, Collins Square will have direct linkages to Spencer Street Railway Station, as well as trams, car and bus arteries.
...

I wonder if by "direct linkages" to Southern Cross they mean structural linkages of some sort - hard to see how that would work - or maybe they're just saying that Southern Cross is just over the road?

just ove the road is pretty direct... press a traffic light and walk 25m... thats about as direct as you can get

I don't think this has been posted yet:

http://www.collinssquare.com.au/animation.asp

sweet video! good find Q

Good video, reinforces howmboring the 5 towers look together though, especially the 3 western towers all of similar height.

^^ they certainly do look boring. The most impressive element of this project is its sheer scale and its active podium/retail levels. i can't wait to walk through when its all done.

Great video, the retail and public parts of this look great!

Excellent video.

^^ they certainly do look boring. The most impressive element of this project is its sheer scale and its active podium/retail levels. i can't wait to walk through when its all done.

Yes plain and minimalist was their angle I guess, but thats not uncommon these days. Atleast they did something with the glazing and went for good quality glass on the ATO tower.

That retail element definately looks like one the strongest parts of the plan, but it will be interesting to see how easy it is to fill the spaces. Given that they are chasing a supermarket to anchor the retail component, it will atleast take up a substantial amount of space on its own.

Its just a pity that V1 is going to be the only residential building in that block, as it will limit the potential to really get flow through traffic throughout the day and night, especially weekends.

Video's somewhat outdated already as the design of the taller tower has changed.

Video's somewhat outdated already as the design of the taller tower has changed.

So that previous render Agent X posted is the new design?

I thought it was just one of the earlier concepts.

Video's somewhat outdated already as the design of the taller tower has changed.

I hope your right A r c h i, i hate that version of the tower in that video.
As most others here have said, i too think that the retail component will be its saving grace. It seems to remind me alittle of the retail section of the CBW (Corner of Bourke and William) buildings, but just abit bigger though.
So it should be good for the Docklands end of Collins St..

also from the website...

there are two webcams... one of the ATO building which is now basically finished but below is the Goods Shed entry and the second building (Mercer) fronting Collins Street.

http://www.collinssquare.com.au/construction/camera-2.asp

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1054.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1076.jpg

That waterfront area is a candidate for a cleanup..

^^ it will be getting one soon :)

Great news! :D

I understand these structural elements are being craned into position this Sunday morning around 9am - my guess is these two babies should weigh in 30/40 tonnes each

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/be23e8b0.jpg

I understand these structural elements are being craned into position this Sunday morning around 9am - my guess is these two babies should weigh in 30/40 tonnes each



Agent X - who's building the remaining 3 buildings?

http://oi44.tinypic.com/5x95ag.jpg

http://oi43.tinypic.com/amvm1.jpg

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

http://oi44.tinypic.com/15nq78x.jpg

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1144.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/11h70j9.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/15f681k.jpg

I really love this building tbh

http://i40.tinypic.com/vh99vb.jpg

+1. the sunshades do a good job of breaking the facade up too. looks great.

Yes, fills the corner nicely.

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/1103/img0883tx.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/192/img0883tx.jpg/)

Looks great in Archi's pic....

Thanks for the updates archi.

The ATO building has come up looking like a good end product. CS is a good development, mainly minimalist in its approach but still seems to come together as a great addition to the city.

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1345.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1346.jpg

Walker Corp submitted a planning application late last month for one of the 3 remaining buildings.

At this rate this will be finished (externally) by the end of the year.

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/983/img0989d.jpg

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/5866/img0988tc.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7195/img0987uz.jpg

And one from the webcam:

http://www.collinssquare.com.au/construction/images/Cam2.jpg?8%2F04%2F2012+12%3A20%3A52+PM

I didn't realize they were building (what seems to be) 2 towers at once.

The second one is the goods shed for the Pearson group.

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1446.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1438.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_1437.jpg

^^ Noooo.. Not a bare concrete wall :lol:

Overall, solid progress being made.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w430/reddenaj/DSC_7899.jpg

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w430/reddenaj/DSC_7897.jpg

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w430/reddenaj/DSC_7898.jpg

I don't come here often..........lots of bulky low rise blocks don't get to me really..........but I know inside spaces may be good so that's what I will look for when they are finished but the outside is bland..........Ohhh look millions of people on SSC rush to this thread, no not really...just a few melbourne guys, and that's good......old faithful your worth you weight in ?

http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/dw37/IMG_1478.jpg
http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/dw37/IMG_1477.jpg
http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/dw37/IMG_1476.jpg

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w430/reddenaj/DSC_7899.jpg


Why didn't they make it yellow!?!! Looks so nice!

I'm impressed. It's a short building but it has presence.

Looking good even if it cuts my view of the river and Polly Woodside

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7077/7169560522_0948d25a28_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/docklander/7169560522/)
Collins Square development, Melbourne Docklands (http://www.flickr.com/photos/docklander/7169560522/) , on Flickr

But you still have an amazing view of the AXA rooftop.

Thanks for posting.

AMP shortly.. New signage will up in a couple of months there and Bourke Place. Nice angle Londoner!

Great pic Londoner. Took abit to realise it was Melbourne:)

What a pity that developers don't put an effort into making thier rooftops look good (AXA being a case in point). With all the high rise being built, many roofs are now being looked down on. A bit of colour or even an artwork on the top of new buildings would be a huge plus.

what do you think ?

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/ac3bae16.jpg

a quantum leap forward over the prevoius design

The render certainly looks good, let's hope reality bears this out.

what do you think ?

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/ac3bae16.jpg

I probably hold a minority view, but I think that Dklnds bldgs are doing so much with glazing and "crystal" effects that the area will, one day, look like a superlative case study for such and we will all be proud. More attention to scale relationships, massing and linear/bulk design would be welcome as well.

Yes, I would still like more height, but with height the sculptural, atmospheriv and refractive effects of fancy glass are effectively lost. More height might, often as not, result in less money and care on glazing...trying to see the bright side of our current reality.

^^ I agree.

Looks like a very promising design. Which building is that in the back of the render?

Thats a huge improvement over the older design by a huge margin :)
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm410/raz188/collinssquare22.jpg

Seems the design of each building is improving with each subsequent render released. I think this will end up being a top notch development and a similar strategy should have been employed for the opposite side of Collins Street. Watergate aside I believe it was an error to award the other parcels individually as the interface and relationships between AXA, Lion, 9, Medibank and Goods Shed North is poor or non-existant.

Which building is that in the back of the render?

Would be the rear of Marsh Mercer.

On another note, Agent X do you still have the render of 4D?

On another note, Agent X do you still have the render of 4D?

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/372784be.jpg

^^ Wow!

Cheers Agent X.

There's a hint of Dubai with this one.

im confused as to where the street level is in this render ??

Village Street is in the foreground which passes under Collins Street.

im confused as to where the street level is in this render ??

You are correct, the V-column on 4B (Mercer tower) is on the same plane as the Collins Street bridge which is the lobby to that tower, whereas this render has the V-column and lobby sitting down on Village Street; the image below doesn't resolve this issue either.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/9942116b.jpg

I was in Melbourne for the weekend visiting family. We went out for lunch at Docklands and it was so bad. This development looms right over the street and is such an obvious and undesirable presence. Vic Harbour however was brilliant and has a real european, urban village feel to it. But Docklands in the same league as Collins St? I don't think so.

Docklands 'to rival Collins St'
Philip Hopkins
May 16, 2012

<p></p>

THE Docklands could soon rival Melbourne's historical office hot spot, Collins Street, particularly with small businesses searching for modern strata space in new buildings, according to a new report by Urbis.

Roger Scrivener, Urbis director and author of the Melbourne Strata Office Market report, said there were about 1800 strata units in the Melbourne CBD, with an average sales turnover of almost 130 units per annum - about 7 per cent of total stock.

Before 2000, strata units were created from the conversion of older, conventional office buildings, but since 2000, about 500 strata units had been supplied in purpose-built offices. These included Aquavista in Docklands, 757 Bourke Street in Docklands, 2 Queen Street, Life Lab in Docklands and 373 King Street. More than 65 per cent of strata offices in the CBD were built before 1980.
Advertisement: Story continues below

The old conversions often led to poor-quality natural light, services and finishes, the report said. The first purpose-built strata offices appeared in the late 1980s, but still on a small scale.

But as the average size of standard office buildings increased, with average floorplates bigger than 1500-2000 sq m, small tenancy areas of 50 sq m to 100 sq m were harder to create.

''As a result, to cater for the accommodation of small businesses, the development of purpose-built strata office facilities has now become economically feasible,'' the report said. In this context, Docklands was now more in play. The Docklands now accounts for 12.6 per cent, or 517,000 sq m, of the total CBD stock of about 4.1 million sq m, according to the Property Council of Australia.

''The Docklands precinct has emerged as the new force for office and other development in the Melbourne CBD,'' Mr Scrivener said. The report's key findings included:

■ Eleven office buildings being built and another committed to, account for 305,000 sq m of new supply, with 82 per cent, or 247,500 sq m, in Docklands.

■ In less than 10 years, more than 500,000 sq m of office space has been created within Docklands, with a further 700,000 sq m likely during the next 10 years.

■ Three of the five new strata CBD offices since 2007 have been in Docklands, although none has a Collins Street address.

■ Many of the strata units sold recently were by a 12-month vendor leaseback, often creating an unrealistic expectation of leasing demand from investors.

■ Rents in strata office suites are generally about 10 per cent above standard offices in similar locations, but lease terms are shorter at two-to-four years.

■ Investment yields for office suites have softened since 2008, with yields for prime strata office suites now 6.5-7 per cent, and secondary yields 7-8 per cent.

Based on current construction and future proposals, Mr Scrivener said, most new office space in the Melbourne CBD over the next five-10 years would be within the Victoria Harbour, Batman's Hill and Stadium sub-precincts of the Docklands. However, to date, only one strata office project was being built in Docklands: Lifestyle Working Collins Street at 838 Collins Street.

Daniel Wolman, Colliers International executive, CBD sales, said demand for Lifestyle Working had been strong, with Docklands having the potential to become a hot spot.

''The continued strong growth in white-collar employment that we are seeing in Victoria creates employment opportunities not only for medium and large organisations but also for small, fledgling businesses,'' he said.

Colliers managing director, investment services, John Marasco, said Victoria Harbour, in particular, was now regarded as a legitimate extension of the CBD as a place to live and work.

Mr Marasco said the Melbourne CBD office market overall was overcoming hindrances. The inner-city residential boom had removed potential office sites thus restricting supply, while tight controls on credit had ensured virtually all new office development was pre-committed by more than 70 per cent, avoiding speculative development.

''So, while significant new supply and weaker economic conditions over the 2012-13 period are likely to produce higher vacancies and subdued rental and capital value growth, we see stronger conditions returning from 2014 on,'' he said

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/property/docklands-to-rival-collins-st-20120515-1yox0.html#ixzz1v0JrMb00

Docklands has a long way to go. I don't think anyone would suggest otherwise.

Loving the Collins Square development. Started out plain but seems to be evolving into a very interesting architectural work.

It's the same size as the CBD, which took 150 years to be what it is today, so....
I think Docklands needs a break. At least it's kept going. Imagine if it had stalled 5 years in? The place would be a complete failure if that had happened.
When it's all completed, the crap parts will be redeveloped, like Melbourne has done with the city square, Arts Centre, Southgate, Melbourne Central, Myer etc etc etc....

^^ Thats so true, it amuses me that people can just walk into Docklands without any sense of scale or time and come to the conclusion that its a failure.
If anything, its been at the forefront of Melbourne's mass westward expansion, it hasn't stalled Melbournes progress at all.

agree. at least give it 20 years to go somewhere!

I think you can also give a lot of credit for the resurgance in the west CBD (regardless of if you like the buildings - Upper West Side, Neo, Atlantis, 568 Collins) as a result of the Docklands development. when the focus was all Swanston-Spring there was no reason for developers/council/government to take an interest in that end of town... now it is wedged between 'old melborune' and 'new melborune' and therefore getting the developments its needed to bring street life to the area.

While I agree with the sentiment of recent posts that Docklands cops a lot of flack, I can also recognise that this is a unique opportunity for Melbourne and we have the right to put it under scrutiny. There are aspects of Docklands that are turning out wonderfully, and others that are simply woeful (Waterfront City comes to mind here), but this is more a reflection of the individual developers and their precincts more than the project overall.

I know my opinion of Docklands is evolving over time, a few years ago I simply outright, hated the place. Since living in Sydney and coming back to Melbourne every few months, each time I am blown away by the pace of change that is happening on such a massive scale.

Since living in Sydney and coming back to Melbourne every few months, each time I am blown away by the pace of change that is happening on such a massive scale.

....and It will keep getting more massive! 2,400 office workers due to start moving into the new ATO building at the end of next week.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/535665_10151115691193294_565688293_13118684_903861777_n.jpg

^^ Thats so true, it amuses me that people can just walk into Docklands without any sense of scale or time and come to the conclusion that its a failure.
If anything, its been at the forefront of Melbourne's mass westward expansion, it hasn't stalled Melbournes progress at all.

I don't hate Docklands but I don't love it. All of these campus's style buildings remind me of the business parks in the Mulgrave/Rowville area. This is the extended CBD and so there should be a Canary Warf style skyline.

Out of interest does anybody know what the tallest building in Docklands is?

I don't hate Docklands but I don't love it. All of these campus's style buildings remind me of the business parks in the Mulgrave/Rowville area. This is the extended CBD and so there should be a Canary Warf style skyline.

Out of interest does anybody know what the tallest building in Docklands is?

It's Victoria Point Tower, the one just next to Etihad Stadium.

Obviously being a skyscraper fan, I'm not crazy over campus - but they're cheaper, and offer large floor plates which is great for the modern office environment. Hopping in lifts all day can be counter productive.

Docklands is a product of what business wants. They're paying for it.

Tower V @ Yarra's Edge is taller.

Tower V @ Yarra's Edge is taller.

I stand corrected. Now that I think of it, Tower V does seem taller.

It's Victoria Point Tower, the one just next to Etihad Stadium.

Obviously being a skyscraper fan, I'm not crazy over campus - but they're cheaper, and offer large floor plates which is great for the modern office environment. Hopping in lifts all day can be counter productive.

Docklands is a product of what business wants. They're paying for it.

Oh I actually really like that tower. It looks really nice as the backdrop on 7 news :) probably the best thing to come out of Docklands

717 Collins Street (16 levels, 39,200 sq. metres, with Marsh Mercer taking 26,000) has its first glass. The colour didn't come out with the overcast skies, but it's a nice green, with a lighter colour as contrast.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w430/reddenaj/DSC_8092.jpg

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w430/reddenaj/DSC_8094.jpg

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w430/reddenaj/DSC_8095.jpg

Was thinking about the space under Collins Street just the other day:

Dock Theatre Concept Revealed (http://www.docklandsnews.com.au/editions/article/dock-theatre-concept-revealed_7621/) by Daniel Kemp

An exciting proposal has been unveiled for a new multi-purpose theatre in Docklands, called The Dock Theatre.
The proposed site for The Dock Theatre is underneath the Collins St bridge, with the concept heavily influenced by the meatpacking district in New York.
The project’s artistic director is Melbourne-based actor Mark Diaco, founder of Human Sacrifice Theatre. Mr Diaco trained as an actor at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York, and has tried to bridge the gap between Manhattan and Melbourne with
his designs.
“Docklands reminds me of the meatpacking area in Manhattan, which I learnt a lot about when I was studying there,” Mr Diaco said.
“It was so run-down, but it has been slowly built up. Now it’s home to the Tribeca Film Festival and numerous off-Broadway theatre productions. Docklands has the same kind of structure and has a similar background.”
Theatregoers at the 300-capacity Dock Theatre will be able to relax in one of the venue’s two dedicated bars.
The main auditorium can also convert to a full 3D digital cinema, facilitating another of the venue’s proposed purposes – to play host to a new Docklands film festival.
“It will be a purely Melbourne theatre, used to develop cultural stories about Melbourne,” Mr Diaco said. “The film festival will form a big part of this.”
Funding for the venue, as well as its eventual cost, is still to be finalised, as Thanassi (Arthur) Panagiotaras, one of the project’s partners, explained.
“There is no figure at the moment, but we are through the concept stage and are now moving onto development,” Mr Panagiotaras said.
“Once we’ve completed the costing we will apply to both State and Federal Governments for grants, as well as drawing on private funding.”
Mr Diaco is enthusiastic about the project, and thinks that it is exactly what Docklands needs as the suburb continues its redevelopment.
“Melbourne needs a theatre like this, especially in Docklands,” Mr Diaco said.
“There isn’t much art or culture down here at the moment. I firmly believe that art pushes culture forwards, and that art has the power to move our country forwards. The Dock Theatre can provide a place for this to happen.”

Like. Very badly needed. Although I wanted to build my own bar there :D

Great idea. I've been thinking those spaces under Collins Street bridge would be great for something like this. Hope it gets up.

Fantastic! Exactly what docklands needs more of!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208887_10151149023003294_1708344622_n.jpg
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https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252342_10151149046523294_1780619850_n.jpg

Fantastic photos, and its great to see the old rail shed getting spruced up..

What is going in the rail shed when it is refurbished?

Offices of Pearson Publishing.

Fantastic photos, and its great to see the old rail shed getting spruced up..

Agreed. It has a great frontage with that lovely bricked arch and topped off with the little second empire clock tower. :)

think the goods shed pod entry is too big. the entry on the other side is much better and allows you to see more of the shed itself along that alignment.

oh well.

http://oi50.tinypic.com/1hqc6h.jpg

http://oi46.tinypic.com/2dv97gx.jpg

NICE glASS

It's all going up really fast, considering how dead the site was for so many years. Tenants have already moved into the lower levels of the ATO building.

NICE glASS

I agree. Love that effect. Sure makes a box come to life:)

Thanks for the pix silver.

The Lantern
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/05ee4f84.jpg


Site 4C - directly behind the ATO on Batmans Hill Drive
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/9ed080e1.jpg

4c is shorter now. but much better looking.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/582228_10151209374613294_1271841951_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181862_10151209380508294_1071090948_n.jpg

Glass pyramid panels to bathe new-look Lantern in light
Philip Hopkins
June 27, 2012
Read later

Clerestory windows, brick work and cast-iron columns will be retained in the Goods Shed restoration. Photo: Craig Abraham
IT WILL be a front door with a difference. A large glass cube, which will look a little like a chandelier or a crystal decanter, is slowly emerging on the Collins Street extension into Docklands.

The Lantern, as it is called, will be the entry point to the southern half of the historic, 19th century Goods Shed, which is being restored by Walker Corporation as part of its $1.3 billion Collins Square project. It will complement the other northern half of the Goods Shed, which was restored and is owned by Lorenz Grollo's Equiset.

Walker Corporation chairman Lang Walker said he was determined to create a beautiful entry point to the Goods Shed, with the ultra-modern glass edifice contrasting nicely with the historic building.

Advertisement: Story continues below
High ceilings, exposed buttresses. Photo: Craig Abraham
The Lantern facade, which has been designed by Building Studio Architects, will feature more than 400 horizontal glass pyramids that will be built on the four sides of the 7500 square-metre building.

Architect Nick Sissons said the facade was conceived as a lit beacon, incorporating a series of glass panels fragmented to reflect and refract light. ''Inspiration was taken from cut glass decanters and lighthouse lens technology - designed to scatter and distribute light in all directions,'' he said.

Mr Sissons said each rectangular wall panel was divided into four triangulated elements that project forward to a pyramid form. ''Every facet will pick up and highlight a different piece of the sky or ground,'' responding to changing light conditions throughout the day or night.


Diamond shaped glass. Photo: Craig Abraham
The lantern will be raised on thin columns, allowing uninterrupted views from Collins Street into the roof trusses and heritage elements of the Goods Shed. The passenger lifts and the internal communications stairs are fully glazed and highly visible from inside and out.

The restoration of the Goods Shed is well under way and, according to Mr Walker, is likely to cost about $60 million. The shed traverses the eastern boundary of the Collins Square precinct. Basso Project Management and architects BVN are working closely with Walker Corp on the conversion. BVN also worked on the interior design of the northern shed.

As in the north, a mezzanine floor will be created. The high ceilings, clerestory windows, exposed trusses, brick work and cast-iron columns will be retained.

The original timber on the underside of the roof has been cleaned, while new slate is being brought from Wales. The floor will also be of timber.

The small tower and clock at the southern end fronting Flinders Street will also be restored.

''The clock will start ticking again,'' Mr Walker said.

Pearson Australia Group has already signed a 10-year lease on the building, and Walker Corporation has hired Colliers International to lease the 7500 square metres of office space in The Lantern and also the clock tower. The main leasing agent is Josh Langdon.

Mr Walker said he was aiming at attracting smaller users with smaller floor plates.

Collins Square, which Mr Walker regards as an extension of the CBD office precinct and not part of the ''campus-style'' Docklands, will cover 180,000 square metres of office space in five towers and 10,000 square metres of retail space. The Australian Taxation Office has already moved into the first 38,000-square-metre tower.

Another tower covering 40,000 square metres for Marsh Mercer is well under way, with completion expected in April. The three other office towers will be 30,000, 50,000 and 22,000 square metres, respectively. Leasing agents are Jones Lang LaSalle and Knight Frank.

Bates Smart has created a master plan for the project, which includes retail and landscaped public spaces that will be protected from Docklands' sometimes woolly weather. There will be intersecting lanes and large retail areas for shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and a gym. The retail master plan has been developed by the Buchan Group.



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/property/glass-pyramid-panels-to-bathe-newlook-lantern-in-light-20120626-210dp.html#ixzz1yxdZmaBZ

very schmick! however, this line...

"Collins Square, which Mr Walker regards as an extension of the CBD office precinct and not part of the ''campus-style'' Docklands"

makes me chuckle... that quote would have a bit more credibility if the development followed the CBD style and made 5 towers 2 (for example) instead of building 5 campus "towers" and calling it "not campus-style" lol

but overall i still like this project

Reading that the building was designed by Building Studio Architects makes me feel that the new designs of the towers were designed by them also, doesn't look as Bates Smart style as say the ATO.
While Bates Smart is of great quality, i'd rather a design by other architects, every design by Bates Smart seems to be a similar variation of each other with different colours. That being said their resi towers are great.

very schmick! however, this line...

"Collins Square, which Mr Walker regards as an extension of the CBD office precinct and not part of the ''campus-style'' Docklands"

makes me chuckle... that quote would have a bit more credibility if the development followed the CBD style and made 5 towers 2 (for example) instead of building 5 campus "towers" and calling it "not campus-style" lol

but overall i still like this project

I'm not sure if you can call a 110m building a campus style

I'd say they just designed the facade system - not the building itself.

Bates Smart Sydney designed the Master Plan for Collins Square and the ATO building. Walker has now shifted all design to Bates Smart Melbourne where the design team is being led by Kristen Whittle whose CV includes time at Herzog & De Meuron.

Nick Sissons at Building Studio is solely responsible for The Lantern building. BVN led the refurbishment of the Goods Shed.

Re Mr Walker's comments, I think he is noting that the location of Collins Square is more 'fringe' to the CBD as opposed to 'true Dockland' locations by the water and detached from the CBD. Moreover, Bates Smart has designed towers you are more likely to see in the CBD, as opposed to the architecture one associates with the Docklands viz-a-viz NAB campus, 717 Bourke, AXA.

I'm not sure if you can call a 110m building a campus style

only the tallest is 110m tall, and that fact that it has large open plan floorplates makes it campus. and the low height to width ratio makes it look stumpy and campusy anyway.

Pheonix on Flinders st will be only a bit taller but will look much more towersome because it will have such a high height width ratio.

Gee, The Lantern's moving quickly.

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w430/reddenaj/DSC_8255.jpg

wow.. that looks fantastic!

thanks redden!

Great updates redden.

Really good design outcome for a development that was looking like it might be void of any value.

Afr stating that CBA might be moving into one of these towers.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/582228_10151209374613294_1271841951_n.jpg


This is actually a very significant image. Aside from the old Convention Centre and WTC, not a single building in this image is more than 10 years old, with New Quay in the far back - from 2002 - being the oldest. Quite amazing.

Actually I can see the roof of the old Goods Shed. That is older than 10 years:)

^^one for the sexy glass thread!

Afr stating that CBA might be moving into one of these towers.

The Mercer Marsh building apparently.

At first reading the story today I was looking forward to another building going up there.

http://oi49.tinypic.com/m81vg4.jpg

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Starting to look like a city street. Thanks for the updates boss.

Exactly my reaction to silvermb's great shots, especially the second one: the Collins Street bridge no longer looks like an afterthought.

if you showed 99% of Melbourne that 2nd picture people wouldn't pic it as Docklands and think 'I'd like to work there' or similar... tell them its Dockaldns and they'd shit themselves over how big a dump it is!

90% of people that shit can docklands have generally visited it once or twice (most likely years and years ago) - saw vacant land places still developing and made up their minds prematurely.

Docklands is not without it's problems but it's definitely not a bad place. I think that most of the finished areas (especially around Vic harbour and yarras edge) are beautiful.

but therein lies the flaw.. docklands doesn't encourage your average Melbournian to visit often. People dont wake up on a Sunday and say.. lets take the kids to docklands. They do say, lets go to town, to the beach, to Crown, to St Kilda, to Chaddy. The failure of Docklands is that it does not ATTRACT people like it should. It should be different, it should be better.. it is not a fail but it is defiantly not something i would recommend a tourist to visit. I am even too ashamed to recommend Watercunt City to any out of towner. Only a Tsunami could save that shit hole.

^^
I'm sure some would say "Lets go to Costco!"

but therein lies the flaw.. docklands doesn't encourage your average Melbournian to visit often.

i agree. Hopefully that is fixed over the second decade of development.

Afr stating that CBA might be moving into one of these towers.

Interesting, I wonder how much space, could possibly start the one of the smaller towers?

Interesting, I wonder how much space, could possibly start the one of the smaller towers?

Unfortunately it's only in the Mercer Marsh building.

Thanks for the updates Silver. In a few years that vista will have quite a few neighbours too.

As for Docklands as a destination, there really isn't much to bring people there for yet. In a few years a private contemporary art collection is planned, and the wheel may finally finish, but there aren't that many attractions on the agenda.

The only other potential additions would be the Alma Doepel ship, which is said to be moving to Dock Square on the Yarra River Side, and a pontoon swimming pool. An expansion to the car collection there to turn it into an automotive museum would be a good addition to.

An expansion to the car collection there to turn it into an automotive museum would be a good addition to.

One main problem i have with the Fox car collection and its neighbour the Kangan institute is the high profile locations they take up.
Neither of them help in anyway in creating a cohesive link between the CBD and Docklands, in fact i find it transports you to some kind of suburban neverland where you're not sure if you have just stepped out of the city and onto a Doveton footy oval..

The collection building is odd because it sits on that angle setback from the street so there is a big triangle of grass on the corner itself but it's not landscaped at all, it makes the whole corner look pretty shabby.

but therein lies the flaw.. docklands doesn't encourage your average Melbournian to visit often. People dont wake up on a Sunday and say.. lets take the kids to docklands. They do say, lets go to town, to the beach, to Crown, to St Kilda, to Chaddy. The failure of Docklands is that it does not ATTRACT people like it should. It should be different, it should be better.. it is not a fail but it is defiantly not something i would recommend a tourist to visit. I am even too ashamed to recommend Watercunt City to any out of towner. Only a Tsunami could save that shit hole.

but whats the difference between this and the western end of the city?

why does EVERY part of Melbourne need to be an attraction for outsiders. Docklands works well as a business precinct and from the people I know who've lived in docklands is a great place to live. does it need to eb teeming with people permanently so that it feels alive to the occasional visitor? or does it need to 'work' for the people who are there day in/day out.

Does it need to be teeming with people to be successful??? no. Does it need to be a well designed, architecturally nice place to be... one that encourages someone to come and enjoy, explore the space, buy food, drink and clothes, be entertained, enjoy where the CBD meets the water, bit of suprise & delight.. ahhh shit YES!!. Yeah sure you can do some of that now, but I could get the exact same experience shopping in downtown Moe!

Poll all of Melbourne and I guarantee no more than 20% will think of Docklands as a success.. on any level. Our Lord Mayor doesnt think so, prominant retail, commercial and residential tennants dont think so. I dont think so.

JP, do you think that the Docklands we have today is the best that MELBOURNE could do? And dont say, yes but in 10 years time it will be different, cause that was what we were all saying 10 years ago. MELBOURNE deserves much better than this.

Everything North of New Quay Prominade including Watercunt City and the massively massive monumental failure of a ferris wheel is like a diseased limb. They need to be excised - demolished, rethought, reimagined, redone! The rest can be resusitated and coaxed back to life.

I think one key point that is often overlooked but has been raised by the CoM and Places Victoria is that Docklands when complete won't be regarded as a separate entity or attraction competing with the CBD - it will be part of the CBD.

The idea is that when you transit from one to the other it will be seamless - you won't realize that you have passed from the traditional Hoddle Grid to Docklands. This isn't the case and won't be until the airspace above the rail is decked and developed.

But as mentioned and I believe is clear in silvermb's shots is that it's getting there. Things like Waterfront City can/will are being fixed - this is evident in the NewQuay Central masterplan and City of Melbourne's Public Realm and community infrastructure plans.

I think people have differing opinions on what criteria Docklands should be judged on which i think is fine because we're all different. I'm firmly of the belief it's starting to tick more and more boxes, but that's just me.

Mandelbrot is way over-dramatic... waterfront city is the only part of docklands that i would consider a failure.

how can you possibly demand that Melbourne deserves better when its only half finished....?!?! Even the parts that are seemingly finished are still evolving!

i agree with Archi, as time goes on it refines and improves... some people are way to quick to cry foul and shit-can everything...

It sux perios and that's coming from an out of tower. Give me a reason to visit Docklands over say the CBD. If it is just a place that caters to it's workers and residents then it will fail as an extension of the CBD because a CBD ala Central Melbourne attracts all kinds from allover. I can't see how it will ever link with the CBD considering the barrier and even once the decking is complete SXS remains the barrier forcing people on Bourke and Lonsdale to divert. Honestly it should have been a grid right down to the waterfront but the damage is well and truly done now!!!

Ok. So let's apply the same argument to say... Gee I don't know let's say Barangaroo. It will attract visitors how exactly?? A hotel? A park? Some beefy office towers? Ummm?

but whats the difference between this and the western end of the city?

why does EVERY part of Melbourne need to be an attraction for outsiders. Docklands works well as a business precinct and from the people I know who've lived in docklands is a great place to live. does it need to eb teeming with people permanently so that it feels alive to the occasional visitor? or does it need to 'work' for the people who are there day in/day out.

One of the main ideas of Docklands was to bring the city down to the water. To open up the city and bring people to the waterfront.

The potential is there for Docklands to be more than just a dormitory suburb and business campus, which it is now. Docklands is a great opportunity to create a vibrant waterfront area and reshape the image of Melbourne.

Don´t take criticism of Docklands personally, it can definitely be improved, I am sure you would agree with that and at the end of the day, that is what the criticisms of Docklands are about - wanting a place that better connects Melbourne´s CBD to the waterfront.

This can still be achieved by the addition of some cultural buildings down there, better retail - maybe reshaping one area into an upmarket area to rival the Paris end of Collins St. Or even the addition of a vibrant market. There are of course still plans for some keynote civic building in Dockland, which hopefully comes to fruition.

At the end of the day its an evolving area. Melbourne CBD was a desert 15 years ago. In 15 years time Docklands may live up to its potential too.

Should have made it the ferry port. I know we've discussed it before, but can't think of any better way to really encourage activity than bringing cruise liners into the docklands as a tourism hub.

Understanding there would be a lot of work required for that to happen (like the Bolte) would be and amazing site - a major cruise liner docked with the CBD skyline behind...

Updated development render showing all 5 towers and current designs:

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/6559/collinssquaresite.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/827/collinssquaresite.jpg/)

From the webcam.

http://www.collinssquare.com.au/construction/images/Cam1.jpg?21%2F07%2F2012+5%3A04%3A44+PM

http://www.collinssquare.com.au/construction/images/Cam2.jpg?21%2F07%2F2012+5%3A04%3A44+PM

A few from yesterday.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg228/scaled.php?server=228&filename=053tk.jpg&res=landing
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg513/scaled.php?server=513&filename=057at.jpg&res=landing
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg163/scaled.php?server=163&filename=058ue.jpg&res=landing
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg256/scaled.php?server=256&filename=060uo.jpg&res=landing
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg823/scaled.php?server=823&filename=061jg.jpg&res=landing
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg62/scaled.php?server=62&filename=062cqb.jpg&res=landing

^Fantastic updates Melb avaitor :)

There is quite an extensive Master Plan for the Kangan TAFE that includes landscaping the corner that faces Collins Street - it should be quite impressive when complete.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/1d18a3bb.png http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x211/mjspence/Buildings/6ff0432d.png

I'm sorry but I find the whole thing a pointless waste of space for where it is. if you are going to ahve low rise stuff in these types of areas at least make it open onto the streets that it is near instead of turning its back to Collins Street and instead facing the other ones.

the buildings still turn their back to a landscaped versino of that corner park - where is teh entry drawing people through the park possibly with a cafe in it?

Isn't Kangan supposed to be bankrupt? why are they are building more stuff when they can't pay their teachers or find enough kids willing to stump the fees?

Larger rendering:

http://www.walkercorp.com.au/images/pages/commercial/collins-square/banner.jpg

Looks to be a great outcome. V1 really will look the odd one out on that block though :)

Looks to be a great outcome. V1 really will look the odd one out on that block though :)

Maybe for you, but ''a great outcome'' for me would've been the combined floorspace spread out over 2 150m+ towers, a fantastic outcome would've been one 300m tower.
But the one we got imo is a nice outcome, its ok, its got some nice finishing touches and a mild street presents, plus it could've been alot worse if nothing was built at all.
But it wont stop me wishing that we should've got something alittle bit taller.
I must admit that the lantern building's glass sure is sexy, i'd love to see that glass on a tall tower too.
:2cents:

Ps, please ignore my ignorance, but whats V1 ?

Maybe for you, but ''a great outcome'' for me would've been the combined floorspace spread out over 2 150m+ towers, a fantastic outcome would've been one 300m tower.
But the one we got imo is a nice outcome, its ok, its got some nice finishing touches and a mild street presents, plus it could've been alot worse if nothing was built at all.
But it wont stop me wishing that we should've got something alittle bit taller.
I must admit that the lantern building's glass sure is sexy, i'd love to see that glass on a tall tower too.
:2cents:

Ps, please ignore my ignorance, but whats V1 ?

I agree, a supertall here would of done very nicely.

Ps, please ignore my ignorance, but whats V1 ?

V1 is the original apartment building on Flinders St.

Dockside, I agree that a taller building could have been an even better outcome, but the use of laneways and the quality of the buildings that are being delivered is certainly more than I had expected not long ago. Maybe great outcome was a stretch, but I am impressed with the product so far

The site next door will likely deliver something taller atleast.

^ True..

I think Marsh Mercer has topped out - level XXI is visible so box should be removed soon.

might call it a drive by shooting

http://oi50.tinypic.com/t8py4z.jpg

http://oi50.tinypic.com/9azva0.jpg

http://oi49.tinypic.com/2qsbclc.jpg

http://oi45.tinypic.com/33castg.jpg

As much as I can't stand campus style buildings, these are actually nice

As much as I can't stand campus style buildings, these are actually nice

Err 20 floors isn't excactly campus

The window treatment really appeals to me.

http://dsewebapps.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/Planning/PHBPPAT.nsf/InternetAppListing/FAFAC14833492488CA257A52001C8350?OpenDocument

Application Details
Application No. 2012006516
Status Referred
Description of Proposal Construction of an Office Building, Tower C, Collins Square Development
Date Received 03/08/2012
Related Applications 20080651

Applicant & Land
Applicant name Brad Evans
Land Address 735 Collins Street Melbourne Docklands

Must have a tenant lined up or they intend on building it speculatively.

The lantern looks great from the train.

^^ Good news that they are looking at the next tower already.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7731229372_72cb6349f5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66393417@N04/7731229372/)
IMG-20120807-00019 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66393417@N04/7731229372/) by dav1878 (http://www.flickr.com/people/66393417@N04/), on Flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7259/7731253596_3f52101b8e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66393417@N04/7731253596/)
IMG-20120807-00018 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66393417@N04/7731253596/) by dav1878 (http://www.flickr.com/people/66393417@N04/), on Flickr

Looking splendid!

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff486/dirtywork1/IMG_2349.jpg

Whats that building there in the foreground?

I find it ugly, shame there isnt something there more appealing.

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj520/glennwilson2/DSC01906.jpg

Collins Square is finally helping Docklands look bulky. It used to look so sparse with that huge parcel of land remaining bare for so many years!

at least half of docklands will successfully link with the cbd without the headache that will oneday be what to do with the railcards

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/sorryspeilberg/Allsizes|DSC_2958HDR|Flickr-PhotoSharing.jpg
andrianmonoang @ Flickr

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/sorryspeilberg/Allsizes|MelbourneVictoria|Flickr-PhotoSharing.jpg
Alyx T @ Flickr

Lantern from the back:

http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss310/jon-tree/temporary-12.jpg

^Such a great little building, it would've been unreal if only it was say 20 or so stories higher.
But still a great building nevertheless..

it makes the equivalent entry point on the other side look very dated and sad already.

I expect when VicUrban vacates the space it'll be updated.

^Such a great little building, it would've been unreal if only it was say 20 or so stories higher.
But still a great building nevertheless..

I actually think it's the right height for that design.

Really like that they have dine with this development so far.

Renders suggest building 4C will have a similar albeit varying facade.

it makes the equivalent entry point on the other side look very dated and sad already.

I expect when VicUrban vacates the space it'll be updated.

It isn't very nice at all, it always made me think of a subway station entrance. There is a cafe inside the building but you wouldn't even know because the glass is so black from the outside you can't even see in.

http://s15.postimage.org/gt9lhxti3/IMG_2453.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
http://s15.postimage.org/i37ewzna3/IMG_2449.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Batman's Hill thread is archived now right? Collins Square is close enough..

Docklands news:

http://www.docklandsnews.com.au/images/uploads/79_Museum_revamp.jpg

$3 million revamp planned for Batman's Hill

28 Aug 2012

A $3 million redevelopment is set to revitalise Dockland’s Batmans Hill precinct.
The 1.9 hectare site, bordered by Collins St, Village St, Wurundjeri Way and Batman’s Hill Drive, is home to Lindsay Fox’s classic car collection and the Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE).
The redevelopment will be funded by the Lindsay Fox Trust and Places Victoria, with support from City of Melbourne.
The redevelopment includes:
A park to be created at the corner of Collins St and Harbour Esplanade;
A new exhibition space; and
An internalised bluestone piazza between the Queens Warehouse, which houses the classic car collection, and the ACE.
“The redevelopment will create a drawcard for the automotive community,” Places Victoria chairman Peter Clarke said.
He said the piazza could be used as a public meeting space as well as a site for vintage car rallies or swap meets.
Mr Clarke said the Fox Trust had already spent $1 million on the Queens Warehouse.
Mr Clarke said the area had previously not been activated and the development would add open spaces and provide more access to the restored Queens Warehouse, with extended opening hours planned.
Places Victoria and Kangan Institute have also partnered to build a new street along the Yarra River side of the precinct.
McCrae St will connect Batman’s Hill drive to the Yarra Northbank allowing pedestrian access to the Webb Bridge and the new Jim Stynes Bridge.
Work on McCrae St should be finished by December and development work on the Batman’s Hill precinct is due to start in the same month.

^^^^
Good move. It would be great if the Fox Car Museum extended its opening hours. I've never really understood why it is only open on Tuesdays at lunchtime. It could become a great tourist attraction on weekends.

perhaps (referring to a thread in transport) they could get some of the cars/information/history from the Ford museum that just closed in Geelong and bring it here?

http://s13.postimage.org/nzg1sscfr/IMG_2469.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

This is a pretty huge site. Everything seems that much taller from down in the Village St canyon...

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/deebs69/IMG_1232.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/deebs69/IMG_1233.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab64/deebs69/IMG_1236.jpg

(Pearson and Penguin moving into Goods Shed South this week.)



-----

deebs

taller ? I just wish one tower stood 100 stories down here.........Ok maybe 90, or 80...or 60, maybe 40...but sheeez all these campus blocks !

Yeah, I should have said "taller"

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http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/sorryspeilberg/_DSC0116_zps89bcd99b.jpg

good pics. tower 2 of collins square has now topped out.
http://s10.postimage.org/79f00xcmh/IMG_2559.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

From the Age today

CommBank says 'can' to HQ move
September 26, 2012 - 1:21PM

The Commonwealth Bank has taken its own advertising campaign to heart and said "can" rather than "can't" to moving its Melbourne headquarters.

Australia's largest bank has signed a 10-year lease for 9000 square metres of premium office space in Walker Corporation's $1.5 billion Collins Square development.

The CBA's new office space, a five star green-rated building at the Docklands end of Collins Street, is due to be completed in mid-2013.

The bank will move 800 staff from its current headquarters on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Streets.

It joins another another tenant in Collins Square, Marsh & McLennan Companies who have already leased 25,000 square metres.


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/commbank-says-can-to-hq-move-20120926-26km3.html#ixzz27XwQWljG

Quite historic - 385B was built by the State Bank of Vic, SBV bought by Commies, and now gone.

~30 year history of the bank (under its various brands) being in that building.

What I'd give to lease a whole floor in 385B - absolutely 110% superb location for an office!

pretty stingy - 800 staff into 9000m2.

seems like this is taking the spare space in the building that is currently UC.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/commonwealth-bank-australia-shifts-melbourne-headquarters-to-docklands/story-e6frf7kx-1226482068538?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HeraldSunBusinessNews+%28Herald+Sun+|+Business%29

Commonwealth Bank Australia shifts Melbourne headquarters to Docklands

Angus Thompson
Herald Sun
September 26, 2012 6:07PM

The Docklands will soon be home to Commonwealth Bank headquarters in Melbourne.

COMMONWEALTH Bank is set to call Docklands home after signing a deal to shift its Melbourne headquarters to a new landmark development.

The major bank will join the Australian Tax Office and the Pearson Group as tenants of Collins Square, Australia's largest mixed-use commercial precinct.

CBA spokesman Steve Batten said the bank expected to move about 650 staff from its Bourke Street headquarters to the 5 Green Star complex late next year.

Walker Corporation General Manager of Development David Gallant said the bank would occupy four floors of the 10,000sq/m Collins St complex, housing all of its head office operations.

"It will also house their trading floor and foreign currency desk,'' he said.

Mr Gallant said up to 50,000 workers and shoppers were expected to visit the commercial and retail precinct daily following its completion in June 2013.

He said there would be a gym, childcare centre, pharmacy, bars and restaurants, among other retail outlets in the $1.3 billion development.

"We're very much bringing the quality of the CBD down to Docklands,'' Mr Gallant said.

CBA joins ANZ and NAB in occupying premium commercial complexes in the Docklands precinct.

Having a Docklands address in some capacity seems like quite a trend for the big financial institutions. ANZ, NAB, Bendigo and now CBA...

Yes - who'd have thought 15 years ago that Melbourne's financial district would be down in the old docks area! Really highlights the big changes that have occurred in the city over the past 20 years.

http://s13.postimage.org/quncluih3/IMG_2714.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
http://s13.postimage.org/4y0tlh5af/IMG_2771.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
http://s13.postimage.org/wzjgcwzyf/IMG_2773.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Thanks melbournee12 for your great updates, they are much appreciated as always.
How amazing is this, that apart from the Goods Shed, WTC/Congress Centre and the railway viaduct all those buildings in this photo didn't exist 10 years ago.
From almost nothing to this built environment is a great effort imho..

http://s13.postimage.org/quncluih3/IMG_2714.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Docklands definitely doesn't look like a suburban office park in that pic.

Maybe not like a Melbourne suburban office park, but it sure looks smaller than Chatswood, Bondi Junction, St Leonards, Parramatta. :(

http://oi48.tinypic.com/35chk6c.jpg

http://oi49.tinypic.com/330rcar.jpg

http://oi50.tinypic.com/33m6edx.jpg

I have just noticed that the bridge looks way out of place next to the former train sheds. Could at least have been designed to somewhat match its surroundings a bit more in my opinions.

As for the building itself, very interesting looking glass shape. I don't think you see many buildings with windows like that around Melbourne.

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj520/glennwilson2/DSC02434.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj520/glennwilson2/DSC02436.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj520/glennwilson2/DSC02451.jpg

Collins Sq

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k64/sorryspeilberg/PhotoMapsbyNearMap-36.jpg

http://s5.postimage.org/flmsp2axj/photo_6.jpg
http://s5.postimage.org/3l1coc3iv/photo_1.jpg

sorry, first image from 27 little collins st

http://s5.postimage.org/ezxtsyfvb/photo.jpg

Thanks for the pics razov!

You know, if I was a window cleaner........I would ask for more money that they used to pay a few years back...What were they thinking !

Maybe not like a Melbourne suburban office park, but it sure looks smaller than Chatswood, Bondi Junction, St Leonards, Parramatta. :(

When's the last time you visited Docklands? Density there shits all over these Sydney suburban hubs.

Denisty, yes, Docklands has the upper hand on Chatswood. However, height...It's actually becoming an embarrassment.

South Yarra has taller towers.

I try so hard to like Docklands because I'm afraid of somebody cyber-ripping me to shreds (because you can't say a bad word about Docklands on here for some reason). I just can't like it.

Fair enough, Docklands doesn't need a 600m or so Grollo tower, but how about 150m? Maybe even 170m...?Come on!

Docklands is stubby, bland and lifeless.

And it really does look like a suburban business park.

^^ For now though, 15-20yrs and some of the older buildings here will be getting demolished for taller buildings.....it'll get there.....hopefully :)

But everyone seems to forget that the Docklands is part of the CBD, unlike Chatswood, St Leonards etc. which are their own CBD. What I am saying is that the opportunity to realy extend the style and character of the CBD into the Docklands has failed and it doesn't even come on par with North Sydney, etc. as it hasn't got much of a heart. Shame indeed, and I hope it does change sometime in the future and all I can hope for is that our suburban centres such as Box Hill, Dandenong, Moorabbin, Footscray, Ringwood, Kew, Camberwell, Hawthorn, Caulfield etc... all look at what is possible in South Yarra and the potential for good quality, great development.

There was too much land, people simply didn't need to build tall this time round. Next time round when melbourne starts to run out of land (if that's possible) we should see taller buildings

http://s7.postimage.org/5rjjc6bor/IMG_3164.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

And it really does look like a suburban business park.

how does this....

http://s7.postimage.org/dlk4xkjhn/IMG_3168.jpg[/url]

look anything like a business park?

http://s9.postimage.org/rhw8710sf/IMG_3291.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Wool Shed South
http://instagram.com/p/TCuV77klUT/

http://s17.postimage.org/l2yt65c9r/IMG_3302.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

I'd have loved to have seen the ATO building about 2 levels shorter and this one about 2 levels higher just to give a bit more height variation across the development.

isnt the one behind this one meant to be quite a bit taller???

Yeah about 35 levels.

are sweet - my mistake, for some reason I was thinking this was the tallie of the development.

http://imageshack.us/a/img515/2158/img3348r.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img254/3453/img3339hnd.jpg

http://s11.postimage.org/tnhzr0383/IMG_3760.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

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