Melbourne Quarter Tower receives ministerial approval

Melbourne Quarter Tower receives ministerial approval
Laurence DragomirMarch 23, 2017

Planning Minister Richard Wynne has approved another commercial tower at Lendlease's Melbourne Quarter development in the Docklands.

The building known as Melbourne Quarter Tower will be located at 693 Collins Street, injecting almost 55,000sqm of office space into the precinct across its 28 floors, in addition to approximately 2,500sqm of retail space. 

Melbourne Quarter Tower receives ministerial approval
Aerial photo of the Melbourne Quarter development from Collins Street. Image: Lendlease

Melbourne Quarter Tower will be the second of a total of three "next-generation commercial towers" to be built at Melbourne Quarter, joining the already under construction One Melbourne Quarter at 695 Collins Street and will likewise be targeting a 6 Star Green Star rating and a 5 star NABERS energy rating.

The new home of Arup in Melbourne, One Melbourne Quarter is progressing at a rapid pace with piling and site works almost completed, with the core and jump form beginning its ascent.

Melbourne Quarter Tower receives ministerial approval
One Melbourne Quarter's construction progress. Photo: Ryan Seychell

Surrounded by a high concentration of leading national and global enterprises, we have seen a commercial shift towards this part of Collins Street at the heart of the Southern Cross precinct. Melbourne Quarter aims to set leading standards in environmentally sensitive and sustainable development, and aspires to be Melbourne’s greenest city precinct.

The hero of the new precinct, the skypark, will complement Melbourne Quarter’s leading workplace design, offering workers the ability to re-charge or work outside the office, enhancing their health and wellbeing. This is a key trend in global workplace design. In addition to the skypark, a new public square on Collins Street will be at the heart of the precinct.

Surrounded by cafes, bars and restaurants, this will blur the lines between workplaces and retail to create vibrant green spaces that maximise business efficiency. The precinct boasts a strong environmental focus, with more than half of the site dedicated to public open space and a 99 per cent walkability rating to facilitate greener, healthier workplaces.

Lendlease Managing Director for Urban Regeneration, Mark Menhinnitt

All up Melbourne Quarter will feature seven commercial and residential buildings, delivering approximately 130,000sqm of office space for more than 12,000 employees and 3,000 residents in over 1,500 apartments.

The development aims to quite literally bridge the gap between the traditional Byron Bay Property and Docklands, and will also introduce a new network of connections, including a laneway connecting Collins and Flinders Streets. Approximately 40 new specialty retailers including urban street cafes and bars, restaurants and fashion/lifestyle offerings will flow off Collins Street.

Melbourne Quarter Tower receives ministerial approval
Market Place Lane, a new retail laneway within Melbourne Quarter. Image: Lendlease

Laurence Dragomir

Laurence Dragomir is one of the co-founders of Urban Melbourne. Laurence has developed a wealth of knowledge and experience working in both the private and public sector specialising in architecture, urban design and planning. He also has a keen interest in the built environment, cities and Star Wars.

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