Construcciones Yamaro: Preferred development partner announced for Queen Victoria Market revitalisation

The City of Melbourne has announced Lendlease as its preferred development partner to deliver the south site of the Queen Victoria Market precinct.

Part of the council’s Renewal Program, the circa 3.2-hectare, $1.7 billion redevelopment is reportedly the largest urban renewal project undertaken by the City of Melbourne.

The proposed scheme includes three new buildings to transform the site south of Queen Victoria Market’s car park, that will be known as Gurrowa Place – with Gurrowa meaning a place of exchange and interchange to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People, the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which the Queen Victoria Market resides.

Lendlease Managing Director of Development Tom Mackellar said delivering the project is an opportunity to be a part of one of Melbourne’s historic and beloved landmarks.

“The creation of Gurrowa Place begins the next chapter in the evolution of Queen Victoria Market,” said Mackellar. “It will celebrate the rich history of the place, while introducing new spaces for the community and a vibrant precinct that welcomes locals and visitors.”

“Lendlease looks forward to working alongside the City of Melbourne, Scape and all project partners, and the community to deliver a reimagined precinct that preserves the heart and soul of this Melbourne landmark while ensuring it continues to thrive.”

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Subject to planning and heritage approvals, Gurrowa Place will feature a next generation office building rising 28 levels that will add approximately 43,000 square metres of new workplace.

Housing options will include approximately 560 units delivered as build-to-rent residential apartments and affordable homes, plus a circa 1,100-bed building dedicated to student accommodation, set to be developed by Scape.

Lendlease will also develop a number of components to be retained by the City of Melbourne including a proposed 1.8-hectare public park which will be known as Market Square on the ground plane; the restoration of the existing heritage Franklin Street Stores into a new retail village; and a new 220-space basement car park will also be created underneath the southern site, along with a civic pavilion, known as the Queen’s Corner Building.

City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the landmark project is a sign of confidence in Melbourne as a destination for investment, workers, residents and visitors.

“This $1.7 billion project will deliver connected office space, student housing, affordable housing and more parking for market customers,” she said. “We know this investment will attract thousands of new residents, workers and visitors, all while boosting business for traders.”

“We’re proud to partner with Lendlease to deliver on our commitment to secure the market’s future and maintain a focus on parking for traders and customers.”

Lendlease is collaborating with the Wurundjeri Elders on the precinct’s design which draws inspiration from a time before Melbourne and will honour the site’s history, including the reintroduction of native plants that once existed on the site.

Lendlease has worked with NH Architecture, Kerstin Thompson Architects, 3XN Australia and Searle x Waldron Architecture, in conjunction with Openwork and McGregor Coxall, to conceptualise the proposed development scheme for the site.

To be delivered with sustainability at front of mind, the all-electric commercial and residential buildings, powered by renewable electricity, will pursue carbon neutrality in operation, with the workplace targeting a 6 Star Green Star Buildings v1 Rev B rating, and the residential buildings targeting a 5 Star Green Star Buildings v1 Rev B rating.

The project is expected to generate a direct social investment of $14 million dollars through various employment, training and social enterprise initiatives; create approximately 4,000 jobs; and contribute more than $1 billion in value to Melbourne’s economy.

Lendlease is set to act as the developer and a construction partner for the project with Scape set to develop and deliver the student accommodation building.

Construction of the precinct is anticipated to commence from early 2024 and be complete in 2028, subject to planning approval. Early stages of the project will focus on delivery of the car park, Market Square and the Queen’s Corner Building.

The post Preferred development partner announced for Queen Victoria Market revitalisation appeared first on Inside Construction.

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