Lendlease is the City of Melbourne’s preferred development partner to transform the southern site of the Queen Victoria Market precinct as part of the Council’s Renewal Program.
At approximately 3.2 hectares, the circa $1.7bn redevelopment bordered by Franklin, Queen, and Peel Streets, is the largest urban renewal project undertaken by the City of Melbourne and will revitalise Melbourne’s famous landmark while paying homage to the site’s rich heritage.
The proposed scheme, that will be known as Gurrowa Place, includes three new buildings that will transform the site south of Queen Victoria Market’s car park.
‘Gurrowa’ means 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.
Subject to planning and heritage approvals, Gurrowa Place will feature a next generation office building rising 28 levels that will add approximately 43,000 sqm of new workplace.
Diverse housing options will include circa 560 Build to Rent apartments and affordable homes, plus an approximately 1,100-bed building dedicated to student accommodation set to be developed by Scape.
“Delivering this project is a once-in-a generation opportunity to be part of one of Melbourne’s most iconic and beloved landmarks that has been serving the people of Melbourne for the past 140 years. The creation of Gurrowa Place begins the next chapter in the evolution of Queen Victoria Market. 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.”
Tom Mackellar, Managing Director (MD) of Development, Lendlease
Lendlease will also develop numerous components to be retained by the City of Melbourne. On ground level, a proposed 1.8-hectare public park to be known as Market Square will create an inclusive space for the community to connect.
The restoration of the existing heritage Franklin Street Stores into a new retail village will add to the city’s hospitality culture and complement the Queen Victoria Market’s offering.
Gurrowa Place will include a new 220-space basement car park created for visitors and traders underneath the southern site, along with a civic pavilion, known as the Queen’s Corner Building, that is envisaged to become a cornerstone of the precinct.
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.
“This landmark project is a strong sign of confidence in Melbourne as a destination for investment, workers, residents, and visitors. This $1.7bn project will deliver connected office space, student housing, affordable housing, and more parking for market customers. 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.”
Sally Capp, Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne
Lendlease has worked with NH Architecture, Kerstin Thompson Architects, 3XN Australia and Searle x Waldron Architecture, in conjunction with Openwork and McGregor Coxall on the Gurrowa Place project.
The new precinct is striving for leading-edge sustainability by prioritising carbon reductions in materials, operation and construction, and creating urban habitats to support biodiversity via on site greenery.
The all-electric commercial and residential buildings at Gurrowa Place – powered by renewable electricity – will pursue carbon neutrality in operation, with the workplace targeting a six Star Green Star Buildings v1 Rev B rating, and the residential buildings targeting a five Star Green Star Buildings v1 Rev B rating.
The project is expected to generate in excess of $14m of direct social investment through various employment, training and social enterprise initiatives. it is also expected to contribute over $1bn in value to Melbourne’s economy.
Lendlease is the developer and construction partner for the Gurrowa Place project with Scape set to develop and deliver the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) building.
Subject to planning approval, construction of the precinct is anticipated to commence from early 2024 and be complete in 2028, with a focus to deliver the car park, Market Square, and the Queen’s Corner Building as part of the earlier stages of the project.
