Crone Partners

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Works on the new purpose-built Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) headquarters were completed late last year. Now occupied, the 10-storey mixed-use complex at 535 Elizabeth Street was built by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/builders/multiplex">Multiplex</a> and accommodates the organisation’s 165 staff within the 16,820 square metre building.

With the task of creating a new workplace and education facility in line with ANMF's vision, architecture firm Crone went about designing the building which includes a 400-seat auditorium, simulation laboratories, state-of-the-art interactive library, student hub and multi-purpose training rooms. 

A-grade commercial space accounts for the buildings upper levels, and are leased separately to the ANMF's needs. 

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/crone">Crone</a> describes 535 Elizabeth Street's internals as maintaining an uncomplicated material palate of raw concrete, metal and timber, designed to provide a common aesthetic across the buildings varied uses. 

<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/anmf_60_webproof_preview.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Victoria Street and O'Connell Street outcome"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/anmf_60_webproof_preview.jpeg?itok=UlGAbUEo" title="Victoria Street and O'Connell Street outcome" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Victoria Street and O'Connell Street outcome</figcaption></figure>Early in the building's development process, ANMF appointed project management firm Montlaur which was tasked with delivering an outcome in line with expectations.

Montlaur director Lucy Symington acted as lead project manager on 535 Elizabeth Street, and explains that the notion of project management stretched far beyond the physical delivery of the building. Montlaur has worked in partnership with the ANMF Victorian Branch since 2013 delivering end-to-end project services for 535 Elizabeth Street which included:

<ul>
<li>Development feasibility </li>
	<li>Consultant appointment </li>
	<li>Coordination of town planning and VCAT processes </li>
	<li>Project management </li>
	<li>Development management </li>
	<li>Superintendent role </li>
	<li>Change management and facilities management strategy </li>
	<li>Management of retail and office leasing </li>
	<li>Coordination of the sale of the existing premises</li>
</ul>
<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/anmf_16_webproof_preview.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Double height uninterrupted view over the CBD"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/anmf_16_webproof_preview.jpeg?itok=b_Ac3e2L" title="Double height uninterrupted view over the CBD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Double height uninterrupted view over the CBD</figcaption></figure>"We met with a full cross-section of the organisation and heard about their current challenges and how they see themselves working in the future. This was consistently reflected upon during design to ensure the original brief was being maintained."

In addition to the uses outlined above, end-of trip facilities and a ground floor cafe round out the project's features. After design adjustments during the planning process, historic facades fronting both Elizabeth Street and O'Connell Street were incorporated into the build.

Key though to 535 Elizabeth Street being a success is the array of uses dedicated toward education and training.

"The ANMF came from a building that was very cramped and its facilities for education and training were fairly dated. They’ve now moved to cutting-edge facilities, and the feedback is that staff love the new arrangement." Through the incorporated education centre, the ANMF Victorian Branch offers training in a range of nationally recognised qualifications for many of its 80,000 members.

<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/anmf_1_webproof_preview.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Auditorium space"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/anmf_1_webproof_preview.jpeg?itok=Ah2Wt3QX" title="Auditorium space" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Auditorium space</figcaption></figure>On the partnership between client and Montlaur, Lucy Symington explained the worth of having guidance in place from an early stage."The client had extended its previous building without the benefit of independent project management and was keen to find the right partner for the new building.

Their core business is not in construction so it was imperative to mentor them and talk them through the process so they knew what to expect at every stage. The client had never owned a building of this scale and nature before, with external tenants involved.

Our role was to facilitate a planning approach so that when they occupied the new premises they would know what to expect. We offer full end-to-end solutions such as superintendent services, appointing a building manager and awarding maintenance contracts."

Further imagery of the completed building can be seen below.
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silvermb

Profiling Montlaur's role in the new ANMF Melbourne headquarters

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While one of 2014's tallest residential developments looks to have been brought down to size, another has stepped forward to avail itself as 2015's first 200 metre plus proposal. Breaking the apparent inner-city lull in large-scale proposals during recent months, Southbank may well host one of Melbourne's tallest structures with a 280 metre residential tower proposed according to project architect Crone Partners.

Conversely images have been published online of a revised residential scheme for 54-64 A'Beckett Street in Melbourne's CBD which show a drastically reduced tower as the likely outcome. Sans 30% of its original height, the proposal still maintains its distinctive pinkish facade as envisaged by architects Elenberg Fraser.

<h2>295 City Road</h2>

<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/image30_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="295 City Road. Image © Tim Kirkhope"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="369" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image30_1.jpg?itok=LniU3vYI" title="295 City Road. Image © Tim Kirkhope" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>295 City Road. Image © Tim Kirkhope</figcaption></figure>Appearing on architect Crone Partners website in the latter part of 2014, 295 City Road is a residential tower at 261 metres over a 1,161sqm site in Southbank, diagonally opposite the 244 metre <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/elysium-54-clarke-street-southbank">Elysium Tower</a>, a planning application for 295 City Road was shown as lodged with the State government two weeks ago.

Featuring 532 apartments and retail space fronting City Road, Maretree Pty Ltd has been listed as the applicant with Urbis acting on their behalf. 

<blockquote>
The project has been rigorously designed in accordance with preliminary advice from the Planning Ministers department and is soon to be lodged for approval with the DPTLI. The development is targeting 532 apartments and seeks to maximise amenity for the residents, neighbours and the broader Southbank community. Crone Partners has worked closely with a team of top tier consultants to ensure the design is robust and functional.

The design skilfully works within the irregular site to optimise the yield, while ensuring the apartments are carefully planned to avoid overlooking whist maximising the spectacular views. Externally, a delicate seraphic frit is applied to a high performance curtain wall to create a diaphanous skin, which cloaks the apartments to offer protection, shade and glare control.
<cite>Crone Partners website</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>54-64 A'Beckett Street</h2>

<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/image34_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Then and now. Image © Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="538" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image34_1.jpg?itok=PG3vB_tp" title="Then and now. Image © Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Then and now. Image © Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>Also lodged during December 2014, a revised 54-64 A'Beckett Street's renders have recently surfaced. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/australia-108-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a> developer Aspial - World Class Land is also behind the A'Beckett Street project, with the initial scheme seeking approval for a 253 metre residential tower yielding 300 one bedroom and 450 two bedroom apartments.

Situated over a 1,280sqm site, Elenberg Fraser have visually condensed the initial scheme from 81 levels to 56 levels, bringing the project in line with the neighbouring MY80 Silver Skies at approximately 175 metres in height. The decrease in scale for the project is in response to feedback from planning authorities, where a Melbourne City Council report stated:

<blockquote>
The key issues of concern are the excessive scale, height and built form of the proposed building, inadequate internal amenity and failure to appropriately respond to development of adjoining sites. A lack of setbacks to site boundaries and limited tower separation to adjacent developments will result in an exceptionally poor outcome for current and future residents.
<cite>Report to the Future Melbourne Committee </cite>
</blockquote>

Both projects are in the long queue of planning applications awaiting a decision from Minister Richard Wynne's office.
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One up, one down in the residential tower stakes

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City of Melbourne are presented with a good design, verging on a very good design, but one particular aspect of a new planning application involving 529-541 Elizabeth Street is worth questioning. While the Elizabeth Street frontage is transparent and welcoming, the O'Connell Street perspective is anything but.

<blockquote>
The proposed development will provide an engaging response to the Elizabeth Street frontage, as well as the O'Connell Street frontage
</blockquote>

I tend to disagree with this quote from the planning application, as my favoured hobby horse of inactive street frontage rears its head once more with a less than overwhelming scenario depicted below, which fronts O'Connell Street. With services, car park entry and loading fronting O'Connell Street, it is understandable that such a finish has been applied, but highly undesirable at the same time.

<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/Image37_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="O'Connell Street frontage. Image © Crone Partners"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image37_0.jpg?itok=INAJIN6r" style="height:365px; width:580px" title="O'Connell Street frontage. Image © Crone Partners"></a>

This becomes a test for City of Melbourne as much as anything else. More than occasionally they have been known to posture and voice disapproval over tall towers/proposals within the CBD and surrounds, but it is the finer grain public experience that should be paramount and it will be fascinating to see if the council request changes in any form to O'Connell Street's frontage.

Perhaps a static glass-walled art display - similar to the <a href="http://www.azahner.com/images/tmog.bridge.jpg" target="_blank">Tacoma Museum of Glass</a> - would be a simple solution addressing O'Connell Street that highlights the site and site proponent's history. Which brings us to the obligatory details.

529-541 Elizabeth Street is proposed to be the new headquarters for the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF). Designed by Crone Partners, the 46.5 metre tower falls within the City North Precinct and provides ten levels of mixed-use activities. Externally the tower element to both frontages features vertical fins that form a cascading feature which funnels down to the respective entrances.

<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/Image38eliz.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Victoria Street perspective. Image © Crone Partners"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image38eliz.jpg?itok=Jq_EpWAU" style="height:382px; width:580px" title="Victoria Street perspective. Image © Crone Partners"></a>

Internally the building will have office space totalling 7,314 square metres with the three upper levels reserved for the ANMF and the remaining four tower levels are to be leased externally. The podium carries a variety of uses, ranging from education and training facilities (classrooms, labs, meeting rooms and library) with the ability to cater for 200 students.

Ground floor facilities are divided by a pedestrian passage running from Elizabeth to O'Connell and features a 400 seat auditorium which is available to both ANMF and external groups. A retail space of 114 square metres fronts Elizabeth Street while 66 cars and 30 bicycle spaces are accommodated within the basement.

<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/Image39.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Expected ground floor layout. Image © Crone Partners"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/Image39.jpg?itok=u0G2yS-L" style="height:605px; width:580px" title="Expected ground floor layout. Image © Crone Partners"></a>

Having recently been submitted, final approval for 529-541 Elizabeth Street is some time away, as tends to be the norm. Urban.com.au waits with interest to see if the O'Connell Street frontage and overall design proceeds unfettered.

<ul>
<li>Context and Design Report and Architectural Plans: Crone Partners</li>
	<li>Transport Impact Assessment: GTA Consultants</li>
	<li>Environmental Wind Assessment: Mel Consultants</li>
	<li>Environmentally Sustainable Design: Crone Partners</li>
	<li>Waste Management Plan: Wastech Services Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Heritage Advice: Bryce Raworth</li>
</ul>
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