Construction works echo around Botanicca as further office buildings await
Five years have passed since Burnley's Botanicca Corporate Park received its last major commercial office development. Having been gradually expanded over the past 13 years, the corporate hub now stands to gain in excess of 25,000 square metres of new office space as well as Australia's first Element Hotel.
Works are underway on both the hotel and a substantial strata office building that will be constructed side by side. At 588 Swan Street, both developments have the backing of TRC (Aust) Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Malaysian firm TRC Synergy Berhad.
Works on what will become Element Melbourne Richmond will include delivery of 168 hotel suites (with minimum sizes beginning at 24 square metres) plus a fitness centre and meeting space.
Both buildings are designed by Rothelowman with construction in the hands of Hamilton Marino. The office building carries in excess of 6,000 square metres of sellable space over 73 strata-titled suites, plus 135 car park spaces.
Botanicca's transformation began in earnest during 2005 via builder St Hilliers who constructed General Electric's Asia Pacific headquarters. Spanning seven levels and comprising approximately 14,400 square metres, the building designed by Billard Leece Partnership was the precinct's first large-scale development.
Icon Construction undertook the last major build within Botanicca, completing Botanicca 8 during 2013 for partners Icon Developments and The Pacific Group of Companies. It consists of 8,300 square metres of commercial space in a 4.5 Star NABERS rated building.
Current construction aside, Growthpoint Properties Australia is seeking tenants for the master planned precinct's largest development to date.
Architecture firm Gray Puksand have conceived a scheme involving 20,000 square metres of A Grade office space split over two buildings. Dubbed Botanicca 3 and designed with a 5 Star NABERS rating, the duo will eventually account for Botanicca's most prominent corner fronting Swan Street and Madden Grove.
Botanicca 3 is the final stage of the original site master plan and will incorporate a host of features now standard across many of Melbourne's contemporary office developments. End-of-Trip facilities, a childcare centre, gym and an expansive outdoor terrace have all been incorporated into the design.
According to Growthpoint Properties Australia the buildings at 572 Swan Street can be completed within 18 months of a lease being executed; a lease which they are now actively trying to secure.
