Looking forward to 2019

Looking forward to 2019

By Laurence Dragomir

As 2018 draws to a close and the construction industry takes a well-deserved breather over the Christmas New Year break, several projects look set to kick start in one form or another in 2019.

First up is ISPT Property’s Vertical City Campus for Victoria University at 364-378 Little Lonsdale St.

Having announced that it is partnering with Victoria University to deliver the 32-storey building at the beginning of November, ISPT is wasting no time in getting the project off the ground, appointing Probuild as the head contractor for the project.

The 24,000 sqm NLA vertical campus will include office and teaching space for key academic activities in addition to the integration of heritage and archaeological elements.

Demolition works are expected to start in December this year, with project completion due prior to the end of 2021, in time for the 2022 academic year.

Another project to keep an eye out for in 2019 is PDG’s revised development scheme for the former Toyota site at the top end of Elizabeth St at 611-697 Elizabeth St.

Dubbed Elizabeth North, the three-tower commercial scheme replaces an earlier four-building residential and student accommodation scheme, in response to the current state of the residential apartment market in Melbourne.

Elsewhere, a number of other sites are also expected to go down the commercial path including recently consolidated development sites spanning 55 King St and 555 Collins St (Charter Hall), 52-60 Collins St (Dexus), 140-150 Queen St, and 383 LaTrobe Street (Mirvac) which will be developed adjacent to ISPT’s VU Tower. These are all expected to hit planning in the coming months.

And finally, construction has commenced on the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Connect - a pedestrian-friendly innovation precinct located on the site of the former Royal Women’s Hospital, and connecting Carlton with the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus. This follows the demolition of the existing structures on the site and ground works.

I wish everyone a safe and relaxing break over the holiday period, and look forward to another big year in planning and development for Melbourne in 2019. Laurence signing off for 2018.

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