Federal heritage approval has been granted to Gurrowa Place - a major new mixed-use housing development sited at the southern edge of the Queen Victoria Market (QVM), which will be delivered by the City of Melbourne in partnership with Lendlease and Scape.
The latest federal approval for the project is in addition to planning approvals from state and local government, as well as state heritage support, received in early 2024. Concept designs from the project's design team - comprising NH Architecture, Kerstin Thompson Architects, 3XN Australia, Searle x Waldron Architecture, Openwork, McGregor Coxall, Lovell Chen and Urbis - were first unveiled in 2023.
The $1.7 billion Gurrowa Place project involves the construction of two new apartment towers, a student accommodation tower and a low-rise civic building across a 3.2-hectare site bordered by Franklin, Queen and Peel streets, just north of Melbourne's CBD.
According to a media release from Lendlease, the project is slated to deliver approximately 1,150 student residences by Scape and 622 build-to-rent apartments with 79 affordable homes across two of the site's residential buildings. As part of the federal heritage approval, Lendlease has proposed an amendment to the third building within the project's approved masterplan, which would enable approximately 507 build-to-rent apartments and 55 affordable homes.
"In total, this could see more than 2,200 new build-to-rent apartments and student accommodation beds delivered, including more than 130 affordable homes, located close to public transport connections and Melbourne's medical, education and research precincts," the communique from Lendlease states.
Minister for Housing Clare O'Neil welcomed the announcement, adding, "We have too many regulations standing in the path of builders that is serving no purpose other than to delay and create more expensive housing. If we're going to build more homes, which is exactly what our government is trying to do, then that's going to have to change."
Plans for the precinct also include a 1.8-hectare public park called Market Square on the site of the historic Old Melbourne Cemetery - now used as the market's open-air car park. The proposal features new basement car parking with 220 spaces for visitors and traders, along with the restoration and conversion of the heritage-listed Franklin Street stores into hospitality and retail outlets facing north to the park.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said that conditions attached to the development consent are designed to preserve the heritage of the QVM while delivering more homes for Victorians.
"Through thoughtful design, this project will provide new and much-needed housing while ensuring this Melbourne icon can be enjoyed for many years to come," Watt said. "This project will offer modern facilities to make the market more accessible and appealing to traders, customers and tourists alike."
Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nick Reece commented that Gurrowa Place is the biggest mixed-use development in the city's history.
"This development will also make a major dent in the housing crisis - delivering new homes, including affordable housing which the city desperately needs," he noted. "Lendlease and the City of Melbourne can now confidently move forward with groundbreaking plans to transform the precinct."
According to the council, the project's heritage consent allows it to progress to construction following relevant authority and permit approvals. Site works are expected to commence next year with the project to be completed in several stages.
