Mirvac Group has cleared another round of regulations and lodged the development application for its 477 Collins Street, Melbourne project, estimated to be worth between $500 million to $600 million upon completion.
Located in Melbourne’s mid-town area, it will be the largest building constructed by Mirvac in Australia and will incorporate the heritage facade of the Olderfleet buildings, with a new 50,000 square metre office at the rear.
The façade is three buildings designed and constructed between 1887 and 1889. Each was conceptualised by different architects and as a result reflect varying styles of Gothic and Romanesque Victorian architecture.
At the time of its opening in 1899, the location near the main train station at Spencer Street was considered the ‘‘Paris end’’ of Collins Street, but which slowly migrated north over the years to be near Spring Street and the Victorian Parliament House.
The heritage facade will be upgraded with all the mod-cons of Wi-Fi and cafes and will be the ‘‘grand entrance’’ into the ultra-modern office block behind.
Mirvac commissioned architect firm Grimshaw, which then had four of its global and Australian offices submit their own, independent design.
Mirvac’s group executive of commercial development, David Rolls, said designs from each office’s submission were selected and amalgamated to create the winning look of the building.
He said it would be a flagship property for Mirvac, offering new and some, yet unseen, principles of modern office designs.
‘‘We will incorporate the vertical village concept, that we have at 8 Chifley Square in Sydney, together with a campus-style, large floor plans with meeting areas and break-out spaces with natual ventilation,’’ Mr Rolls said.
“From a design, heritage and construction perspective it is one of the most challenging projects Mirvac has undertaken, to sensitively preserve the integrity of one of our national treasures.”
Among the design will be five client floors located every eight storeys.
These client floors will feature expansive lounges alongside outdoor spaces, with open façade systems incorporating doors that open on to spacious terraces and gardens.
The existing property is tenanted but construction is scheduled for 2016 as leases expire and completion is expected in 2019.
Mr Rolls declined to comment on market speculation regarding the sale of the Aviva Asia Pacific property platform, which includes and option agreement with Mirvac over the 477 Collins Street property.
