ACU's new Lyons-designed campus goes to construction tender
Victoria Parade's vista is due to change dramatically as the Australian Catholic University (ACU) readies for a major expansion of its Fitzroy campus.
115B Victoria Parade has reached construction tender, drawing the sizeable development closer to reality. With a construction value well in excess of $100 million, the build will invariably draw the attention of Melbourne biggest builders.
ACU's expansion intentions were first flagged on Urban.com.au during 2016 when a comprehensive development plan was put before Yarra City Council, with architecture firm Lyons heading design duties. 115B Victoria Street, which also fronts Napier and Young Streets, encompasses the first stage of a wider campus development, and with the first phase highlighting a new multi-level building which will replace a current at-grade car park.
The new Lyons-designed building will be known as the Mother Teresa Building.
The Mother Teresa Building will arc over the existing campus building at 28-42 Young Street, providing it with three additional levels. It's expected that the new build will add approximately 25,000sqm of space to Australian Catholic University's campus.
The building will underpin Australian Catholic University's planned growth in student and teacher numbers, as well as increased research activities. By 2020 it's expected that 10,700 equivalent full-time students will be on campus.
An extensive 7 level, 12,700 square metre basement will accommodate parking for 244 vehicles, with below and above ground provisions for 100 bicycles.
The building contains approximately 18,400 square metres of space above ground, dedicated to an array of uses. Additionally, 3,000 square metres of landscaping is located across multiple levels of the development.
ACU's pending move to build at 115B Victoria Parade will be the tallest of three separate projects effectively side by side. Immediately west of the new Mother Teresa Building, St Vincent's Hospital will also look to expand the existing multi-level car park at 93-99 Victoria Parade.
The colourful building is expected to see three new levels of parking for 185 additional cars atop the existing structure.
St Vincent's Hospital also holds approval for an 11-storey expansion of their current facility. In the corner of Victoria Parade and Brunswick Street, the new Billard Leece Partnership-designed building was slated to reach 43 metres in height.
Both the Mother Teresa Building and St Vincent's Hospital's new build would defer to a prospective development at 151-159 Victoria Parade for both bulk and height. Urban.com.au was first to highlight Angelo Property Group's plans for a 16 level commercial tower for the site.
Should all the above projects come to fruition, this particular stretch of Victoria Parade will boast multiple examples of high-quality contemporary architecture.
