MELBOURNE | Docklands Development News

[A r c h i]

Melbourne Docklands is a 200 hectare, $10+ billion waterfront development in the heart of Melbourne. Located on Victoria Harbour and three kilometres of Yarra River frontage at the western edge of the city, Docklands is Australia’s largest construction project and a large urban renewal project by world standards.

The Docklands development is turning unused government land into a successful, integrated community of residents, workers, investors and visitors.

Being developed in stages over the next 10 to 15 years, Docklands is currently around one third complete. When complete in around 2020, it will double the size of the Melbourne CBD.

website: http://www.docklands.com.au/cs/Satel...lands%2FLayout

wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_Docklands

Map of Docklands with Precincts highlighted:



PRECINCTS

Batman's Hill map:



Site 1:





Site 2a/737 Bourke Street/ National Foods:



Construction Photo by Ozfrog:



Site 2b/750 Collins Street/AXA HQ:





Interior shots by Shumway:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=571

Site 3a/700 Collins Street/Bureau of Meteorology:





Site 3b/717 Bourke Street/ESMOD & Travelodge:

[Edward]

Thanks archi!
I think i should just note that there will be four towers in Batman's Hill designed by Zaha Hadid.
Also to be included in Watefront City will be the Southern Star observation wheel (much like the London Eye, 15m shorter) and a surrounding shopping center

Originally Posted by Edward

Render Roundup:
HELLO HARBOUR TOWN/SOUTHERN STAR!!!

[A r c h i]

Site 4/Village Docklands:

Australia's largest and greenest office development.



Heights above ground level are (some of the plans quoting lower heights do not include the plant levels at the top of the towers):

4A: 17 levels, 77.7m
4B: 8 levels, 35.9m
4c: 14-18 levels, 65.3-77.3m
4D: 38 levels, 155.9m
4E: 10-19 levels, 34.8 - 62.8m
4F: (V1 - completed) 20 levels, 70m

Renders by me:

Originally Posted by A r c h i

Walker Corporation Commences Work This Week at 735 Collins Street
17th December, 2007

The Most Prestigious New Corporate Address In Melbourne

* Work will commence next week on one of Australia’s most significant new commercial projects – 735 Collins Street
* 160 metres of blue-ribbon Collins Street frontage • Early works to commence on site establishment, demolition, excavation and piling
* New Project Team in place, including appointment of new Project Director
* Outline Development Plan approval received for this significant Collins Street address
* Largest 6 Star Green Star Commercial Development in Melbourne
* This new commercial and retail precinct will complete Collins Street, and link Melbourne’s CBD with Docklands

The Collins Street extension to Docklands is to be completed with Walker Corporation announcing that it will commence work on its showpiece project at 735 Collins Street this week. This development is the last undeveloped whole city block of land on Collins Street, presenting a significant commercial opportunity that is unlikely to ever be repeated.

Master plan approval for development of one of Australia’s largest and most significant commercial precincts with an end-value of $850 million has just been granted to the Walker-Kuok Group Joint Venture to develop 200,000sqm (gross) on Collins Street.

The $850million development will span an entire city block, with frontages to Collins Street and Batmans Hill Drive. Comparable to the Collins Place development in scale, 735 Collins Street will comprise four commercial towers set over an extensive retail domain of 8,700 square metres including an innovative retail concept for revitalising the adjacent historic Goods Shed. The first of the commercial towers will be completed in late 2009.

The project will be anchored by an innovative “Laneway-esque” podium featuring an expansive transparent light-weight roof offering patrons year-round weather protection. The concept design will focus on an enlivened and activated space reminiscent of Melbourne’s much-loved laneways with a 21st Century twist.

The Walker Corporation has moved quickly to get the development underway since achieving planning approval. Last week Walker established its Victorian headquarters and project team for the development on site.

Walker has appointed the contractor to undertake the early works package including demolition, piling and site establishment, with works commencing before the end of the year. The main contractor will be announced early in the New Year.

Leading Australian architects Bates Smart have been appointed for the master plan, commercial and retail design. Roger Poole, Executive Chairman of Bates Smart said “This is the development that will complete Melbourne’s Collins Street. It presents a unique opportunity for businesses to join other prestigious Corporates in the Docklands precinct whilst also boasting the best commercial address in Australia – Collins Street.”

The development’s commitment to a 6-Star Green Star rating will enable tenants to put their environmental credentials and commitment into action through the building of a headquarters that is innovative, creative, technologically cutting-edge, environmentally sustainable and financially responsible. The development will feature a precinct-wide central co-generation plant, and water capture and re-use program.

735 Collins Street provides unsurpassed ease of access to public transport. It is two minutes walk from Southern Cross Station, has tram services at its front door, and offers exceptional vehicular access from both the Melbourne CBD and the greater metropolitan area.

To oversee the development, Walker has appointed Brad Vercoe as the Project Director. Mr Vercoe joins Walker Corporation from Lend Lease where he was the Senior Development Manager of the $3.5 billion Victoria Harbour precinct development at the Docklands. Prior to Lend Lease, Mr Vercoe had extensive experience working internationally on major commercial and retail projects in Dubai and Asia.

Lang Walker, Executive Chairman of Walker Corporation said today “I’m very excited about this new approval which we’ve been quietly working on over the past 18 months. We feel that in developing this new master plan, we’ve brought the very best place-making skills to the table to deliver a commercial and retail precinct that will rival international benchmarks.

“This development is one of the most significant commercial developments currently underway in Australia. It will bring together a mixture of innovative architecture, iconic Melbourne elements and leading environmental design to create a thriving new precinct for Melbourne.” Mr Walker said.

Project Director Brad Vercoe said of the 6-Star Green Star commitment “This is a unique opportunity. While many individual buildings are driving sustainability programs, this development adopts a holistic approach. The end result will be an environmentally responsible development which will deliver bottom-line savings for our tenants - setting new standards in the industry.”

Walker Corporation’s investment in this $850million project in Melbourne further consolidates its significant investment in Victorian property which includes the Point Cook City Centre project, the Main Street Kew project and the South Morang Bulky Goods Development. This Victorian program of development adds to Walker’s extensive national and international development strategy.

http://www.walkercorp.com.au/news/ar...id=22&zoneid=1

V1 (only completed tower so far) and site by Ozfrog:

[A r c h i]

Site 5a/Kangan Batman TAFE Automotive Centre for Excellence:

Originally Posted by silvermb

$30 million investment for Automotive Centre of Excellence Stage 2
3 May 2007

The creation of a world-class automotive hub in Victoria is closer to reality, with the Bracks' Government allocating $30 million towards the second stage of the Automotive Centre of Excellence in the 2007-2008 State Budget.

The second stage of the Automotive Centre of Excellence will develop a number of practical workshops and office space at the Docklands facility, where the remainder of Kangan Batman TAFE's automotive training (currently at the Richmond and Coburg campuses) will eventually transfer.

The Bracks' Government already built the $20.5 million first stage, which houses Kangan Batman TAFE's automotive body trades training.

The funding allocation comes as part of the Bracks' Government's Skills for a Growing Economy statement, released on Tuesday 1 May 2007.

Planning will now commence concurrently for Stages 2 and 3 (designed specifically for automotive industry organisations). Construction is anticipated to begin in 2008-09.

'When Stages 2 and 3 are complete, the Centre will become more than just a TAFE-it will be the focal point of the Victorian automotive industry, bringing together automotive training, higher education, research and development, in one central location.'

Kangan Batman TAFE is working with its valued partners in the automotive manufacturing sector on the business case for the Stage 3 development. It will be presented for approval to government in September 2007.
**

so stages 3-4 will eventually stretch to bourke st between watergate and the tram lines.

stage 2, primo

Stage 1 Completed:



Site 5b and Site 6:

Currently under negotiation. Looks likely to be awarded to Sama Dubai who are planning 4 towers (the tallest of which will be around 60 storeys and 250m tall) to be designed by Zaha Hadid and Ashton Raggatt McDougall. No renders as yet.

For Melbourne's Docklands:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...647977807.html

Visionary architect set to transform Docklands

By Royce Millar
August 2, 2007

One of the world's leading architects is designing a Melbourne landmark for Docklands that will be Australia's greenest and most expensive office and housing complex.

Iraqi-born, London-based Zaha Hadid will oversee design of a spectacular $1.5 billion scheme earmarked for Collins Street by Middle Eastern investment company Sama Dubai. Ms Hadid, 57, was the first woman to win architecture's most prestigious award, the Pritzker prize, in 2004.

Property and State Government sources say Government approval looks likely for the proposal. It consists of four buildings - Docklands' tallest tower and elaborate civic spaces over two sites and on decking over Wurundjeri Way.

The scheme was recently presented to former premier Steve Bracks, whose response was believed to be encouraging. Docklands development agency VicUrban has supported it in principle.

Ms Hadid's work is variously described as ultra modern, supremacist and utopian. A major influence was pre-Stalin Soviet constructivism. She gained international fame with her design for The Peak country club in Hong Kong in 1983. Once known as an architect whose work was often too ambitious to be built, she is now sought after. Her built works include the Lois Rosenthal Centre for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati, Ohio; the BMW factory in Leipzig, Germany; and a National Centre for Contemporary Arts in Rome.

Royal Australian Institute of Architects Victorian president Philip Goad described Ms Hadid as a "colourful, larger-than-life figure" who would bring much needed "style and finesse" to Docklands. "Docklands could do with a much greater degree of architectural sophistication," he said. "It needs to rise above the developer schlock we now have."

The proposed tower will be 50 to 60 levels high and would occupy the site once earmarked for the failed Grollo Tower.

The proposal includes sophisticated water features and extensive use of recycled materials. A Government source said the proposal was so green it would deserve an eight-to-12-star energy rating. The current rating system extends to six stars. The only two completed buildings to have achieved six-star accreditation in Australia are in Melbourne: the Melbourne City Council's CH2 in Swanston Street and a nine-storey building at 140 Albert Road, South Melbourne.

But the Sama Dubai proposal is already controversial given the involvement of John Tabart, the former VicUrban chief executive who now works for the company. After a decade at the helm, Mr Tabart left VicUrban (formerly Docklands Authority) in December 2005 bound for Dubai.

Last September VicUrban agreed to deal exclusively with Sama over the Batman Hill sites for three months. Ten months later the exclusive negotiations continue. Local developers, competitors for the sites, are furious at what they claim is special treatment for Sama.

"They got preferential treatment because Tabart was the CEO of Vicurban," one disgruntled competitor said this week. "It stinks."

Mr Tabart is not involved in negotiations between VicUrban and the Government.

Such is the wealth of Sama that it may build the Docklands complex speculatively, gambling that tenants will be found later. Such risk-taking has been rare in Melbourne since the property meltdown of the early 1990s.

The cashed-up company has billions to invest across the world and is believed to be targeting stable Western economies for investment. But it is highly sensitive to any potential hostility to Arab investment in countries such as Australia.

A theme of the proposed project is the re-establishment and celebration of Batman's Hill, once a city focal point and location of John Batman's home from 1836. The hill, now more of a rise, was levelled to make way for Spencer Street Station in the mid-1860s.

Architects Ashton Raggatt McDougall and development investment firm EPC Partners are believed to be among local firms involved in the Sama scheme. Major Projects Minister Theo Theophanous issued a carefully worded statement to The Age this week that sounded promising for the developers.

"No decisions have been made about the future of this project," it said. "However, we are keen to keep expanding the Docklands, which is a vibrant community."

VicUrban said it did not discuss proposals under consideration.

Responses could not be obtained from Sama Dubai or Ms Hadid.

These are some alternate designs for Site 5b:

[Edward]

ANZ (Australia's 3rd Largest bank) are building an 80,000sqm office in Victoria Harbour with a 6 star energy rating. 11 stories but still to be the biggest office in the country...

Originally Posted by A r c h i

Seeing as it was me who strayed off topic I thought I'd get back on topic with these:



Same as before but now with the wind turbines included:



And updated render from the river:

The original plan for the Zaha Hadid site was the 560m Grollo Tower that was approved and well on its way to becoming the worlds tallest when it fell through because of a funding disagreement.

[A r c h i]

Site 7/643 Collins Street/Media House-Fairfax HQ:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/genera...135597809.html

Video

New Age building revealed
Natalie Craig
December 14, 2007

The Age has raised the curtains on its eye-catching new headquarters: a high-tech, transparent building that will give pedestrians a view of the excitement and drama of news reporting.

Premier John Brumby presided over the unveiling of the design this morning in the basement of The Age's current home at 250 Spencer Street.

The $110 million building, due for completion in late 2009, will sit on the corner of Collins and Spencer streets, at the crossroads of the CBD and Docklands.

Ron Walker, chairman of Fairfax Media, publisher of The Age, said the building would cement the paper's future in "the heart of the city".

It would accommodate more than 1400 Fairfax Media staff, from The Age, 3AW radio, Fairfax Digital and the Melbourne bureaus of the Australian Financial Review and Business Review Weekly.

A long, grassy forecourt, plaza, cafe, auditorium, and simulated ticker tape newsreel would encourage people to meet and socialise at Media House and give a sense of the immediacy of breaking news.

Located well back from Spencer Street, opposite Southern Cross Station and next to the Grand Hotel, the north face of the long, eight-storey building will extend for about 150 metres along Collins Street.

The building will aim for a 5-star Green Star rating. The glass facade will be protected from harsh northern sun by awnings and high-performance glazing. Solar panels will heat water; air-conditioning will run on 100% fresh air and rainwater will be collected and used for irrigation.

Editorial staff will work on two large, open-plan floors designed to enhance movement and communication and further integrate new and old technology, including print, broadcast and online media.

A control centre, visible from the street, will accommodate news desk staff, while supporting journalists will be arranged around the core.

Project designer James Milledge, director of Bates Smart architects, said the interior design was intended to reflect the value of all staff.

"No one will own a window," he said, "The narrowness of the building will also let more natural light in.

"It's exciting, it's flexible and modular - so the spaces can be changed easily in the future."

Fairfax Media chief executive David Kirk said the intention was not to rebuild a newspaper, but to create a digital media headquarters with fibre-optic technology already built-in. Print and online editors would sit together and make decisions together, and video would be an increasing part of news coverage.

"We will have broader reach across the community . . . we will reach your desktop and your mobile phone, your radio, your BlackBerry, your laptop and your iPod - and we will reach you on whatever comes next," Mr Kirk said.

Melbourne developer Grocon will be responsible for construction, including an extensive supporting deck over existing railway lines.

Grocon chief executive Daniel Grollo said construction over railway lines had already begun and that negotiations with State Government stakeholders including Connex emphasised safe working conditions and minimal train delays.

This morning's launch included an overview of the 153-year history of The Age, including the move of the printing presses from within the paper's offices to a $220 million centre at Tullamarine in 2002.

Guests including State Opposition leader Ted Baillieu, Melbourne Lord Mayor John So and former Age editor Creighton Burns were ushered to their seats by paperboys dressed in breeches and felt hats. They sat in what was once the old reel room, where massive newspaper rolls about 20 kilometres long were stored. It was an austere setting compared to the computerised images of the bright, digitally enhanced "newsroom of the future": Media House.

[Anberlin]

ROFL. Go Melbourne ^-^

[A r c h i]

Victoria Harbour:



Website:http://www.victoriaharbour.com.au/ll...x?opendocument



Site V1/National Australia Bank HQ:



pic by rpiker101, flickr:



Site V2/Ericsson House:



Pic by Drunkill:



Site V3/Dock 5:



Site C1/The Mosaic:

Construction pic by Ozfrog:



Site C10/The Montage:



Site C3/The Gauge:



Construction pic by Ozfrog:



Site Y1/833 Collins Street/ANZ



Construction pic by Ozfrog:

[A r c h i]

Yarra's Edge

Completed towers:



Pic by Dean-Melbourne, flickr:



Overview:



Details:

* Marina Precinct (Towers 1-5): 772 apartments, $570 million, Completed
* River Precinct low rise: 83 dwellings, $144 million, Completion December 2008.
* Park precinct (Towers 6-8): 554 apartments, $492 million, Completion December 2010.
* River Precinct Highrise (Towers 9-11): 409 apartments, $328 million, completion December 2016.


Render of River Precinct townhouses:



Construction pic of River Precinct townhouses site by Ozfrog:



Article:

Cashed-up Melburnians fork out $60m in a frenzy
The Age

INTEREST rate rises? Economic downturn? Bah, Humbug! The prospect of either, it seems, could not have deterred the well-heeled clients of Mirvac when the giant property developer recently put up for sale 27 waterside townhouses at its Yarra's Edge development.

More than $60 million worth of prime, north-facing Docklands real estate was snapped up in just a few hours, signifying a new phase in the once-blighted urban renewal of Melbourne's western fringe.

The properties were bought off-the-plan for up to $5 million each, with nine of the houses boasting a marina berth just a few steps from the front door as well as their own internal courtyard and lap swimming pool.

Nearly all the townhouses were bought by locals in a quirky ballot that was not widely advertised. Mirvac trawled through its client base and waiting lists, inviting potential buyers to register an interest for $10,000 each. They then virtually pulled names from a hat. About 50 potential customers missed out.

The successful buyers came from Brighton and other bayside suburbs, as well as the inner city, and included a number of owners of apartments in Mirvac's five already-completed Yarra's Edge apartment towers. Many of the buyers wanted to bring their boats with them.

The stunning pre-Christmas sale was the first in Mirvac's so-called "river precinct" of low-rise properties that sit within its strip of land stretching from the south-west corner of the central business district to Bolte Bridge.

The 27 houses are to be built in three rows: prices ranged from $4.95 million for more than 530 square metres of split-level riverfront luxury to $855,000 for the smaller, so-called "home office" dwellings to the rear.

Mirvac plans to build 82 of the townhouses amid its 10 planned apartment towers, but has yet to decide when to take the next tranche to market.

The demand augurs well for a new phase in Docklands' evolution: other big developers MAB Corporation, ING and Lend Lease are also selling low-rise residential projects within their precincts at NewQuay and Victoria Harbour. But Mirvac has boasted that its townhouses are the only freehold offering in Docklands, free of any body corporate hassles.

"I think the Docklands is really starting to hit its stride," Mirvac sales manager Tom Ormerod said yesterday. "The place has evolved a heck of a lot.

"There's far more certainty about the amenities that are going in down there. It's given people the sort of lifestyle choices that they probably haven't previously had. The place is coming to fruition, essentially."

Docklands' evolution, however, has tended to be stop-start. An apartment glut and lack of investor interest a few years ago put a damper on the area's development. But the new range of residential offerings appears to have reinvigorated the market.

MAB Corporation is promoting the first stage of its low-rise luxury waterside apartments west of NewQuay, with three-storey, three and four-bedroom units selling for between $2.5 million and $3.5 million. All up, 60 residences are planned.

ING is also offering a mix of townhouse-style living as part of its nearby Waterfront City development, while Lend Lease is building two complexes, the Mosaic and the Montage, which offer a small number of townhouses amid apartments on its Victoria Harbour site at the end of Bourke Street.

But Mirvac's river precinct has set a high watermark for price, with the prospect of extensive interest in future offerings. Clients who missed the cut were refunded their $10,000 ballot fee. Some had been waiting up to six months for the opportunity to bag one of the 27 houses.

After the sell-off, successful buyers were given a taste of the exclusive lifestyle, celebrating aboard a 60-foot launch.

The townhouses, which start at 173 square metres, are expected to be completed by early 2009. Mr Ormerod said it was not his decision when a second lot of the townhouses were released. "Certainly we had a lot of people put down $10,000 … There's enough demand down there to almost do another release straight away. "

Though the demand for the townhouses looks to have captured most recent interest, apartment sales have rebounded. Mirvac has just five apartments left to sell in its fifth Yarra's Edge tower and is expected to start selling for tower six next year.

[A r c h i]

NewQuay

website:http://www.newquay.com.au/



Completed towers: Nolan, Arkely, Palladio, Boyd

Pic by The Collector



Pics by avidday, flickr



Conder tower:



HQ NewQuay:http://www.hqnewquay.com.au/

370 Docklands Drive:



pic by silvermb:



Aquavista tower:



Lots 5 & 9:





Lot14b:

Age/Capital Gain
27/10/2007

CSC in Docklands hunt

INFORMATION technology group Computer Sciences Corporation could be the next tenant to call Docklands home.

Speculation mounted this week that the group is in advanced nego-tiations with developer MAB Corporation to lease a new custom-built office building at New Quay, north of Victoria Harbour.

CSC has been in the market for 13,000 square metres for a consoli-dated office and data centre for about a year. A spokeswoman confirmed the company planned to move to Docklands, although she refused to comment on any deal with MAB Corporation.

"CSC will consolidate its existing Melbourne offices in the CBD, St Kilda Road and Southbank into a sin-gle site in Docklands, which will house 700 to 800 employees," the spokeswoman said. "We can't discuss the specific location at this time."

Industry sources say MAB and an unnamed joint venture partner are negotiating to build the office on a Docklands Drive site, near MAB's strata office development Aquavista. A representative from MAB Corporation declined to comment. GPT's new Docklands development Ericsson House, at 818 Bourke Street, repor-tedly had also been under consideration by CSC.

The Avenues, NewQuay Western Precinct:

“The Avenues at NewQuay” Melbourne’s Multi-Million Dollar Waterside Housing Precinct

Picture this: you've moved from the suburbs to Melbourne's premier waterside living destination, NewQuay Docklands. Every morning you wake to the sounds of water lapping in your front yard marina, home to your personal yacht. You step out of bed and enjoy the unobstructed water, city or park views from your individually designed three storey town residence. Welcome to "The Avenues at NewQuay".

This was MAB Corporation's vision for NewQuay ten years ago. Guy Pahor, Chief Operating Officer said, "we believe The Avenues at NewQuay will rival any Sydney harbourside development offering Melburnians the promise of city living without compromising their desire for space, luxury and quality. The Avenues will be a tranquil low rise premium waterfront residential precinct on the edge of Melbourne's CBD."

The three storey town residences will be flanked by water and a major urban park, offering residents' open city views across Victoria Harbour and front row seats in Melbourne's newest urban park. The first stage of development will see nine exclusive water front residences released to the market. A further 20 homes will complete the development.

The starting price for the town residences on the waterfront will be upwards of $3.5 million and for the residences facing the park upwards of $2.5 million. The expected value of the first stage of development once completed will be around $60 million. Each town residence will have a four car garage, cellar, home theatre, home office, elevators and three or four bedrooms as well as large entertaining terraces.

Behind the waterfront, will be Quay Park, Melbourne's newest urban park - a large, sheltered, green oasis. The parkside residences will have front row north facing views across the park. Quay Park and the adjacent waterfront will be seamlessly integrated via a network of public paths and promenades.

"Quay Park will become a destination for both locals and visitors alike and be a home for vibrant public art works including dramatic outdoor sculptures, murals and water sculptures," added Mr Pahor.

Two renowned Australian designers have been commissioned by MAB Corporation to design the town residences because of their experience in developing individual, premium homes. The award winning design team, BBP Architects and Plus Architecture, will collaborate on the project and work individually to design each town residence with its own distinctive design.

"The town residences will be placed on the market over the coming week and MAB has already been fielding calls from interested buyers enquiring about what we are confident will be Melbourne's most exclusive waterfront homes," said Mr Pahor.

[A r c h i]

Stadium Precinct



Telstra Dome (formerly Colonial Stadium):

Pic by Fabian:



South West Stadium Precinct/Victoria Point:

pic by Eric morot, flickr:



North East Stadium Precinct (NESP):

NESP, East Tower 15 storeys, West Tower 18 storeys:

North West Stadium Precinct (NWSP):

360 Degrees:



South East Stadium Precinct:

Down to two bidders, decision expected in the next month.

South-East Stadium Outcome Moves a Step Closer
Thursday, 20 December 2007

The competition for the right to develop one of the few remaining Docklands sites tightened today, with VicUrban announcing a final shortlist of two for the South East Stadium Precinct.

The final two bidders are Bourke Junction Consortium (ISPT, CBUS Property and EPC Partners) and the joint venture of Leighton Properties and Devine Limited.

VicUrban's General Manager - Docklands and Major Projects Michael Hynes, says all the proposals received were of a very high standard.

'It was an incredibly strong field with expressions of interest received from 13 development entities in August, of which four were requested to submit proposals in September,' Mr Hynes said.

'The strong interest in the site and the high quality of the bids is consistent with the wider interest in Docklands, which is increasing its reputation daily as a premier location to live, work, invest and visit,' he said.

The two consortiums will now finalise their bids, submitting their final proposals early in the New Year with the successful developer to be announced soon after.

The South East Stadium Precinct is a 1.6 ha site, ideally positioned between Telstra Dome and Southern Cross Station, with Bourke Street frontage. It is a key connection between Docklands and the CBD for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

Mr Hynes says he is confident the final proposal will complement the other activities, facilities and developments in the area.

The Melbourne Docklands precinct is currently one third complete or under construction and by around 2020 is expected to be home to 20,000 residents and 40,000 workers with 20 million visitors annually.

[A r c h i]

Digital Harbour aka Commonwealth Technology Port

Masterplan:



Completed:

Innovation Building:



Port1010:

pic by me



pic by Drunkill

1010 La Trobe at Digital Harbour Receives Commendation
for Outstanding Commercial Architecture

Melbourne, October 31, 2007 - 1010 LaTrobe at Digital Harbour - Melbourne’s newest commercial waterfront precinct - received a commendation for excellence in commercial architecture at the 2007 Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) National Architecture Awards.

The RAIA architecture awards celebrate the nations most inspiring architectural projects and the architects who created them. A total of 27 awards and commendations across 11 categories were awarded to projects in Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, NSW, NT, the UK and China.

Digital Harbour received a commendation for its new 1010 LaTrobe building. The Jury commended 1010 LaTrobe for challenging the traditional approach to corporate architecture by presenting a sophisticated and unique work environment for contemporary businesses, while also achieving an extremely high level of sustainability, particularly in terms of energy and water consumption. In the tenancy areas, occupants have the advantage of exceptional views of the city and the docks. The design has also dispensed with conventional grid ceilings, instead exposing the structure and utility services to create a sense of light and space. This simple strategy shifts the experience from a standard office space to a dynamic “studio” environment.

The unique and brave design strategy which architects Ashton, Raggatt, McDougall employed for 1010 LaTrobe has resulted in a fully tenanted building housing the Australian Customs Service, Bureau of Meteorology and VicTrack.

Executive Director of Digital Harbour, David Napier, said the Award was a real milestone in Digital Harbour’s development. “We believe Digital Harbour is leading the way in affordable and innovative green commercial building design in Melbourne. The RAIA commendation for 1010 LaTrobe is real recognition that our buildings are now making an impact nationally and we are heading in the right direction for the delivery of environmentally responsible commercial buildings that are also responsive to the immediate and future needs of the commercial property market”.

Under Construction:

Life.lab:



pic by melbournee12:



Starting soon 1000 LaTrobe Street:

Fresh from receiving an outstanding commercial architecture commendation for its 1010 LaTrobe Street building at the 2007 Royal Australian Institute of Architects Awards, Melbourne’s newest commercial waterfront precinct, Digital Harbour, looks to the future with the unveiling of its latest commercial development, 1000 LaTrobe Street.
Digital Harbour is fast emerging as Australia’s leading commercial precinct for organisations, both large and small, sharing a common interest in technological innovation. Embracing strict environmental design principals, the precinct blends sustainable development with leading edge technology, to create a unique commercial accommodation experience.

1000 LaTrobe Street
With 1000 LaTrobe Street, Digital Harbour intends to deliver a first class, sustainable facility for larger organisations. Employing features such as large open floor plates (approximately 2,350 m2), inter-floor open staircases, and the option of open ceiling voids for ready access to services, the building has been designed to offer flexibility of tenancy layout and enhance collaboration within the working environment.“Organisations, especially larger corporates, are looking for ways to more effectively promote collaboration and interaction between teams to enhance workplace efficiency,” said David Napier, Digital Harbour’s executive director. “1000 LaTrobe Street incorporates a number of design features that delivers the floor space flexibility required to stimulate collaboration and maximise the efficient use of space.”

Designed by award winning architects Woods Bagot, the new development that commences construction in early 2008, embraces the precinct’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The building design maximises the opportunity of natural day lighting, which assists in achieving a high Environmental Sustainability Design rating.

David adds, “we also work closely with tenants on environmental matters, including strategies for reducing energy usage, and the ongoing monitoring of building performance, to ensure that energy conservation targets are met.”
Staff are well catered for by convenient public transport including free City Circle tram, Southern Cross railway station and Citylink freeway at the door. Plus, secure car parking within the building and an abundance of car spaces both in the precinct and within the Docklands, makes access to 1000 La Trobe Street a commuters dream!

[ghmelb]

Fantastic Job Archi and Edward. All the projects in the one thread

[city_thing]

Wow. You guys have put in so much effort.

You should really include some stuff about the new Southern Cross station. It's really the cherry on top of the whole development (for me at least)

[Edward]

At Your Request
Southern Cross was built to replace they hideous decaying spencer street station in 2002 and was completed in 2005 for the Melbourne commonwealth games. It's located on the corner of Collins and Spencer streets and is considered by many as a gateway to the Melbourne Docklands. It has 16 platforms, but even though two are not used it sill remains one of the two largest stations in Melbourne (The other being Flinders Street).
The redevelopment was shadowed by much controversy, which involved the project becoming over $200 million over budget. Today it acts as a major hub, running Vline, City Loop and normal Metro services.


By Flickr member lachlansear



By Flickr member benrobertsabq



By Flickr member sillykitty



By Flickr member tsaiware

[A r c h i]

Thanks Ed. I'll just add that the winning design is by Nicholas Grimshaw and Daryl Jackson.

Colourful office pods:



Older aerial shot of roof:



Original winning design:



It included a 36 storey office tower, two 40 storey apartment towers and a second footbridge.

The design was scaled back to this:



The Campus style office block @ 664 Collins St:



Note, the design may have changed as the site was sold to a joint venture of Mirvac and CBUS. Media release: http://www.mirvac.com.au/investor/pd...e_CBD_Site.pdf

[Edward]

GO ARCHI!
Unfortunately the area next to the station, which originally had plans for a 100m tower houses possibly the most disgusting development in our city. DFO (Direct Factory Outlers) Spencer is taking up valuable inner city space.
It doesn't even have a proper roof. it should go back to airport west, where it belongs!
although i do have to admit it does have a few nice shops!

[legumbre]

The projects looks great and the architecture of them seems to be very interesting.

The station is incredible

[george_101]

I absolutely love the developments here in Melbourne. And I'm sort of glad that Grollo Tower fell through. I never really thought a tower like that would look good in its location in conjunction with the CBD/Southbank. Plus I don't like the designs' lack of substance. It's just too plain for my liking lol.

Thanks for posting them all in one thread. ^_^

[mbuildings]

stunning project