Arts Precinct

<html><body>
Developed by award winning developer, Evolve Development and designed by award winning architect, SJB Architects, BOTANIC is the 5th residential project collaboration for this team. BOTANIC is seen as a further contribution to the growing reputation of Melbourne as one of the world’s most liveable cities and Evolve Development, along with SJB Architects are proud to be associated with and contribute to this significant project.

<figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/botanic-25-27-coventry-street-southbank"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/botanic-25-27-coventry-street-southbank-5aac16a2face4b073cb0275e3b7020ee.jpg?itok=ohJyvEeR" style="width: 580px; height: 290px;"></a></figure>Designer apartments comprising 1,2,3 and 4 bedrooms all with abundant natural light and supreme quality finishes including timber flooring to the kitchen and lounge areas, stone benchtops and Miele appliances. 
Choose from three beautifully conceived colour palettes, expertly designed by SJB.

Botanic Melbourne offers magnificent northern views towards the city skyline and eastern views over the Royal Botanic Gardens, providing an opportunity rarely available so close to the city centre. Upon arrival into the lobby, you are greeted by elegance and luxury. The inclusion of a dedicated business hub with a boardroom and private meeting room on a mezzanine level provides residents with an impressive work space.

<figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/botanic-25-27-coventry-street-southbank"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/botanic-25-27-coventry-street-southbank-bf57a72abe439aa17eec926ce693eff1.jpg?itok=qV4Xg7Mu" style="width: 580px; height: 232px;"></a></figure>Amenities are plentiful with premium shared facilities on level 5 including a serene garden retreat with BBQ, fireplace and outdoor dining, luxurious swimming pool, residents kitchen and dining area, lounge area, well-equipped gym, and beautiful landscaped surroundings.

<figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/botanic-25-27-coventry-street-southbank"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/botanic-25-27-coventry-street-southbank-1606e0979c13036c50f7ee37cb2ffd71.jpg?itok=0yQHpnh4" style="width: 580px; height: 290px;"></a></figure>Live close to the exciting CBD and feel the thrill of the Arts Precinct and the calm of the Royal Botanic Gardens. The historic and cultural significance of the immediate surrounds ensures the magnificent views from these luxurious apartments are protected and will remain interrupted.
</body></html>

urban.com.au

Southbank - Endearing off-the-plan opportunities for Melbourne's hottest new development

<html><body>
Known for their ultra-luxurious residences, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/gurner">GURNER™</a> will be making their debut into the hotel market, with plans for a New York-inspired 4.5 star hotel <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/collingwood-vic">development in Collingwood</a>.

The $120 million multi-use development will feature 95 luxury residential inspired hotel rooms, as well as 65 high-end residential apartments, and 700 square meters of ground floor retail.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/gurner">GURNER™</a> aims to deliver year-round hotel services to residents to ensure all on-site amenities are offered across the board, meaning owner-occupiers can enjoy valet parking, right through to turn down and room service as they please.

This unique offering was born out of a synergistic partnership between <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/gurner">GURNER™</a> and hospitality group Veriu, whose goals and visions aligned perfectly.

<blockquote>
“We will maintain close control over the concepts, design and experiences within the hotels which is why we have partnered with Veriu as the operator; their vision is closely aligned with ours to deliver high-end boutique hotels of a world-class standard.” 
</blockquote>

- Tim Gurner, founder and CEO of GURNER™

The design process is still underway with plans expected to be submitted late 2019, however, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/gurner">GURNER™</a> have eluded that the development will reference elements of Kit Kemp’s opulent Crosby Street Hotel in Manhattan, drawing inspiration from Kemp's bold, colourful luxe spaces. 

Located in central Collingwood at <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/23-33-johnston-street-collingwood">23-33 Johnson Street</a>, and across from the <a href="https://creative.vic.gov.au/showcase/co-working-and-collaboration/collingwood-arts-precinct">Cultural Arts Precinct</a> (designed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/fieldwork">Fieldwork</a> + <a href="http://sbla.net.au/about-1">SBLA studio</a>), the goal is to attract travellers and visitors outside the CBD to embrace the wonderful arts and culture Collingwood has to offer.

Tim Gurner has personally delivered over 20 developments in the Collingwood area, with plans for even more residential buildings to be delivered in the near future.

<blockquote>
“[I] feel such an affinity for the area, but development sites here are becoming increasingly challenging to acquire so our strategic move into hotels will allow us to retain ownership in these assets into the future.” 
</blockquote>

- Tim Gurner, founder and CEO of GURNER™

<h2>OTHER COLLINGWOOD DEVELOPMENTS BY GURNER™</h2>

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/107-cambridge-street-collingwood">107 Cambridge Street</a>

Architect: <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/elenberg-fraser">Elenberg Fraser</a>

Status: Complete

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/107_cambridge_street_collingwood.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="107 Cambridge Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="380" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/107_cambridge_street_collingwood.jpg?itok=bnRSoxBu" title="107 Cambridge Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>107 Cambridge Street</figcaption></figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/24-28-stanley-street-collingwood">24-28 Stanley Street</a>

Architect:<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/warren-and-mahoney"> Warren and Mahoney</a> 
Status: Completed

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/24-28_stanley_street_collingwood.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="24-28 Stanley Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/24-28_stanley_street_collingwood.jpg?itok=cOgLgqav" title="24-28 Stanley Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>24-28 Stanley Street</figcaption></figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/1-35-wellington-street-collingwood">1-35 Wellington Street</a>

Architect: <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/koichi-takada-architects">Koichi Takada Architects</a> 
Status: Concept stage

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1-35_wellington_street_collingwood.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="1-35 Wellington Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="346" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1-35_wellington_street_collingwood.jpg?itok=ZxrYDXfy" title="1-35 Wellington Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>1-35 Wellington Street</figcaption></figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/368-374-smith-street-collingwood">368-374 Smith Street</a>

Architect: <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/warren-and-mahoney">Warren and Mahoney</a> 
Status: Approved

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/368-374_smith_street_collingwood.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="368-374 Smith Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/368-374_smith_street_collingwood.jpg?itok=WHOARnd6" title="368-374 Smith Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>368-374 Smith Street</figcaption></figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/victoria--vine-1-57-wellington-street-collingwood">1-57 Wellington Street</a>

Architect: <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> 
Status: Approved

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1-57_wellington_street_collingwood_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="1-57 Wellington Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="382" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1-57_wellington_street_collingwood_0.jpg?itok=3bIrmIWj" title="1-57 Wellington Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>1-57 Wellington Street</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

Olivia Round

GURNER™ makes first foray into hotel industry with New York-inspired Collingwood development

<html><body>
It was conceived during 2011 and still meanders on today. Released last month was an interim update surrounding the Melbourne Arts Precinct Blueprint which principally concerns itself with:
<blockquote>
	A connected Arts Precinct that is a must-see part of Melbourne, known for its distinctive character and vibrant arts experiences.
	The Blueprint sets out a range of strategies to achieve this vision, grouped around four themes - bring life to the streets, create a ‘Melbourne’ experience, more to see and do, and make connections. These strategies propose a range of actions to bring the dynamism and creativity of the Arts Precinct’s artistic community out into the streets.
</blockquote>
<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image3_28.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="An aerial perspective of Southbank's Arts Precinct. Image courtesy MCC"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="371" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image3_28.jpg?itok=NMOwB1bP" title="An aerial perspective of Southbank's Arts Precinct. Image courtesy MCC" width="580"></a>
In and amongst the 55 page document are some telling faults identified with the Arts Precinct. Inward-looking buildings (NGV being a prime example), a general lack of street life, poor shared identity for the precinct and urban barriers such as CityLink all combine to make the Arts Precinct a less than ideal area to traverse by foot. This in turn negates activity and interaction.
To mitigate these negatives highlighted within the Blueprint, four key topics have been identified as areas to address. Bringing life to the streets, creating a Melbourne experience, more to see and do plus making connections are the four headline aspirations. They all sound very rosy, yet how will these four aspirations if implemented correctly transform the area?
Below is a set of before and after images which depict a more user friendly Arts Precinct. The public realm looks to have been transformed from one large monotonous setting into a series of far smaller, finer grain experiences where choice of amenity is king. Drawing a parallel so some of the CBD's laneways there seems to be a mass of smaller, dynamic venues destined for the Arts Precinct.
This in turn promotes intimacy, interest and spontaneity in the area...and above all increased use.
<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image12_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Accumulated before and after concept images for the precinct. Image courtesy MCC"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1361" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image12_9.jpg?itok=nIQdHCkk" title="Accumulated before and after concept images for the precinct. Image courtesy MCC" width="580"></a>
Accumulated before and after concept images for the precinct. Image courtesy City of Melbourne
As promising as the above images are the Blueprint notes that an Arts Precinct Public Realm Plan is to be developed, with further discussions held during 2014-2015.
Committees, agendas, meetings and working parties - without putting too fine a point on the issue, the Arts Precinct and Southbank at large are in dire need of such a plan so hurry it up people!
See the full Blueprint <a href="https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutCouncil/Meetings/Lists/CouncilMeetingAgendaItems/Attachments/11321/MAR14%20FMC2%20AGENDA%20ITEM%206.3%20DRAFT%20CITY%20F%20MELBOURNE%20ARTS%20STRATEGY%202014-17.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.
</body></html>

silvermb

Blueprint for a better Arts Precinct

<html><body>
Premier Denis Napthine may have turned the first sod at ABC's Southbank redevelopment mid February, but the first tangible signs of construction is due this month as site demolition commences. Incorporating the adjoining car park at 102 Sturt Street, the $176 million dollar expansion will see ABC's Ripponlea complex abandoned in favour of a larger Southbank premises which will also house the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Premier Napthine during the ceremony remarked “This exciting project represents the ABC’s long-term commitment to Melbourne... The cost of construction will be $176 million and will generate about 300 full time jobs in Victoria over the life of the project, which is expected to produce indirect benefits of $491.5 million.”

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/ABC1_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="ABC Southbank's new face. Image © COX Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/ABC1_0.jpg?itok=TZyzizYQ" style="height:252px; width:580px" title="ABC Southbank's new face. Image © COX Architecture"></a>

The first feature to catch the eye is <a href="http://www.coxarchitecture.com.au/" target="_blank">COX Architecture</a>'s luminous, open design. The current <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/tours/images/sites/big/southbank.jpg" target="_blank">ABC Southbank Centre</a> at 120 Southbank Boulevard looks very much 1990's with a strong street level bluestone edifice and dark recessed windows - not the most welcoming of buildings. Enter the new ABC Melbourne Accommodation Project (MAP) with its transparent facade that provides a highly visible internal environment when viewed externally.

When including a full-height void facing Southbank Boulevard, the design seeks to give something back to the public via interaction rather than isolation. If and when the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/blueprint-for-a-better-arts-precinct" target="_blank">Arts Precinct Blueprint</a> is adopted, the new MAP building will fit within the blueprint nicely.

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image1_52.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground floor layout. Image © COX Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image1_52.jpg?itok=s2aUJngC" style="height:380px; width:580px" title="Ground floor layout. Image © COX Architecture"></a>

The MAP building involves the design and construction of a new southern building over the aforementioned adjoining car park while the current ABC Centre will be essentially stripped back to the concrete structure and augmented. The eventual common building will house over 30,000 sqm of Gross Floor Area, a marked increase over the existing facility.

Included within the new extension are 77 below ground car parking spaces, 122 bicycle bays and four rain water tanks whilst car park ramps, services and loading bays are all accessed via Moore Street. This in turn allows office production facilities to front both Sturt Street and Southbank Boulevard whilst Studio 31 will hug the western boundary. A large rooftop terrace will sit atop the bluestone annex.

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/Image2map.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="2013 Target Program. Image courtesy Probuild"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image2map.jpg?itok=7v6lU_QY" style="height:234px; width:580px" title="2013 Target Program. Image courtesy Probuild"></a>

Like many projects that suffer delays for a myriad of reasons, head contractor <a href="http://www.probuild.com.au/" target="_blank">Probuild</a>'s initial 2013 Target Program has slipped and has no doubt been superseded by an amended version. After suffering a roughly four month delay in demolition, the project looks set to achieve an early 2017 completion as works commence this month.

The final product will go a long way to enhancing its immediate surrounds.

For further reading and to see more architectural drawings, view the PDF on the Parliament of Australia <a href="https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=2&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CDAQFjAB&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aph.gov.au%2Fparliamentary_business%2Fcommittees%2Fhouse_of_representatives_committees%3Furl%3Dpwc%2Fabcmelbourne%2Fsubs%2Fsub01.pdf&amp;ei=-dE9U9OtEbCfiAfWjoDwBg&amp;usg=AFQjCNG3NgS0UxmdTzfgqwbgRrObI0sV0w&amp;bvm=bv.64125504,d.aGc" target="_blank">website</a>.
</body></html>

Arts Precinct

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Arts Precinct

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News