Zaha Hadid Architects land on St Kilda Road

Melbourne is in for another dose of Zaha Hadid Architects.

After the renowned London-based design practice achieved approval for their first Melbourne project earlier in the year, developer UEM Sunrise has chosen the firm to spearhead their pending residential redevelopment of the former Victoria Police building at 412 St Kilda Road. The Mayfair as it has been dubbed, will be positioned as one of Melbourne's premier residential addresses.

City of Port Phillip gave approval for the building's rejuvenation earlier this year, although UEM Sunrise in the interim instigated an international design competition in order to attain a "higher standard of design excellence" for their third Melbourne project.

Elenberg Fraser will act as the project's local executive architect.

412 St Kilda Road application summary

• Site area: 1,567sqm
• Onsite building completed in 1984
• 21 levels above ground at 64 metres tall
• Scheme approved during early 2016 included 182 apartments
• Zaha Hadid Architects design involves158 apartments: 28 x 1BR, 102 x 2BR, 28 x 3BR
• 209 car parking spaces and 101 bicycle bays within a nine level basement
• One 62 seat restaurant and one 136sqm cafe
• Ground floor library and lounge plus rooftop amenities area

This application seeks amend that permit to enable removal of the existing building and thereafter, the construction of a new multi-storey residential building in place of and no higher than the existing building. It represents a change in philosophy and approach to the site’s redevelopment; one which seeks to elevate standard of new development from high quality to exemplar.

Ultimately, this proposal represents a further evolution of the existing approval, into a development that will deliver a level of design excellence worthy of its location on Melbourne’s premier Boulevard.

Zaha Hadid Architects

Externally, The Mayfair takes its design cues in the form of crashing waves and the Lorenz attractor; a mathematical system that when plotted resembles a figure eight or butterfly. Flowing lines aside, open balconies replace enclosed wintergardens under the previously approved scheme. The newly submitted proposal is a demolish and build, as opposed to a refit of the existing structure.

Double glazed window systems will sit between each floor, while metal cladding providing the exterior with its shapely appearance.

What they say

The world’s most liveable city remains a key focus for UEM Sunrise. 412 St Kilda Rd reinforces our longstanding commitment to delivering living spaces that resonate with the rich Melbourne culture, following the successful sales of our first two projects in Melbourne – Aurora Melbourne Central and Conservatory.

As with all our projects, we are crafting a luxury apartment offering that will appeal to the most discerning buyer.

Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, UEM Sunrise

Engaging Zaha Hadid Architects and Elenberg Fraser for the design of 412 St Kilda Rd will add a legacy building to both St Kilda Road and Melbourne’s skyline that is unmatched by other developments.

412 St Kilda Rd will not only have a unique exterior along one of Melbourne’s grandest boulevards, but will contribute to the activation of St Kilda Road and Bowen Crescent through the creation of a new café and restaurant with direct access from the street level. Furthermore, the development’s location provides direct access to Domain Interchange and the forthcoming Domain station of Melbourne Metro Rail, transporting residents into the CBD and Melbourne’s south.

Raymond Cheah, Chief Operating Officer (Commercial), UEM Sunrise

We’re extremely thrilled to be working on our first project with City of Port Philip Council. The architectural quality of 412 St Kilda Rd will help to solidify St Kilda Road’s identity as one of Melbourne’s grandest boulevards, increasing the prestige of the address and the surrounding neighbourhood with a sophisticated development.

Patrik Schumacher, Director, Zaha Hadid Architects

Located on Melbourne’s premier boulevard, 412 St Kilda Rd brings together two internationally renowned architects, Zaha Hadid Architects and Elenberg Fraser, to create a transformative living experience.

Art and design combine to create luxurious spaces, both within the building and surrounding it. UEM Sunrise’s commitment to art and design will deliver a truly unique outcome that will enrich the urban realm.

Callum Fraser, Elenberg Fraser

Last month tenders for the construction of a dispay suite onsite for The Mayfair closed, signifying UEM Sunrise's ambitions in pushing through with the project as soon as practically possible.

To date, Zaha Hadid Architects' sole approved Melbourne project is 582-606 Collins Street. The $300 million tower for developer Landream sees 420 dwellings and 10,000sqm of office/retail space spread over 54 levels; no word has emerged as to when the Collins Street project will become reality.

Seen below right is another recent Zaha Hadid Architects design for 254-260 La Trobe Street, with Landream also behind the project. The stunning design though seems to be little more than an unrealised project.

412 St Kilda Road development team

• Developer: UEM Sunrise
• Design Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
• Local Architect: Elenberg Fraser
• Town Planner: SJB
• Structural and Civil: Webber Design
• Building Services: Murchie Consulting
• Façade Engineer: BG&E
• Wind Engineer: MEL Consultants
• Traffic: Traffix
• Acoustic: Vipac
• Waste Management: Leigh Design
• Quantity Surveyor: WT Partnership
• Building surveyor: PLP
• Fire Engineer: Umow Lai
• Land Surveyor: Bosco Jonson
• Lighting: NDY
• Geotech: Golders
• ESD: Inhabit