Lendlease has been selected by the City of Melbourne to undertake the largest mixed-use development project in the council's history.

The project involves the transformation of a 3.2-hectare precinct south of the Queen Victoria Market into a three-tower complex, complete with a 1.8-hectare park on the existing car park site.

The design team responsible for this project is made up of NH Architecture, Kerstin Thompson Architects, 3XN Australia, Searle × Waldron Architecture, Openwork, McGregor Coxall, Lovell Chen and Urbis.

This $1.7 billion development has been made possible by the council's "landmark divestment of the Southern Precinct," with the proceeds being reinvested into the market's rejuvenation.

In addition to the development of the three-tower complex and the new park, the City of Melbourne has plans to restore a collection of historic buildings on Franklin Street, which will be turned into a new retail village and retained by the council.

The precinct, named Gurrowa Place, will include a 28-storey office tower, a residential tower with 560 units (including 15 percent affordable housing and built-to-rent apartments), and a student housing tower accommodating 1,100 beds. The Queen's Corner Building, a long civic pavilion, will provide public amenities and activations to support the Market Square. The design of Market Square will be led by the City of Melbourne.

“Gurrowa Place will enrich the traditional market offerings Melburnians and visitors know and love – attracting thousands of new residents, workers and visitors and boosting business for traders,” said lord mayor Sally Capp.

“This globally iconic precinct will be a place to celebrate – with spaces for events, world-class retail and new laneways and arcades to complement the beloved market experience.”

The project team will consult with Wurundjeri elders on a precinct design that honours the site’s precolonial history.

“The creation of Gurrowa Place begins the next chapter in the evolution of Queen Victoria Market,” said Lendlease managing director of development Tom 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.”

The project team is committed to prioritising carbon reduction in materials and construction, with the aim of making the development carbon neutral in operation. Renewable electricity will be used across all commercial and residential buildings.

The precinct has set ambitious targets, including a 6-star Green Star rating for commercial spaces and a 5-star Green Star rating for residential buildings.

Pending approval, the project is scheduled to commence in 2024 and is expected to be completed by 2028.

 

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