Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp

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Zurich Australian Property Holding Pty Ltd has taken its proposed commercial tower on Mount Street, North Sydney back to planning.

Part of Zurich Financial Services Australia, the property offshoot lodged the latest version of its 29 storey tower last week. The refined proposal has seen the expected cost of the development rise to $118 million, above the figure of $103 million which was associated with the initial application which landed with North Sydney Council early last year.

Architects Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp were successful in winning the 118 Mount Street's design competition, eventually conceiving a curving edifice that spans the best part of 110 metres in height.

It's unclear if the latest iteration of the design has wavered substantially from the circulated render of the 29 storey tower below.

<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/image11_21.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="118 Mount Street. Image: FJMT"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="817" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image11_21.jpg?itok=nlcW-boI" title="118 Mount Street. Image: FJMT" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>118 Mount Street. Image: FJMT</figcaption></figure><a href="http://www.afr.com/real-estate/zurich-insurance-to-go-alone-in-250-million-north-sydney-headquarters-20170718-gxdd2p">According to the AFR</a>, Zurich is intending to account for an amount of space in the new tower, with the balance to be leased out.

Zurich's initial application found approval during July 2017 and included end of trip facilities plus a green rooftop terrace, albeit at a lower height of 23 storeys; in line with initial expectations, the tower looks to have been bumped back up to 29 storeys according to the latest submission.

The current yet dated Mount Street office block that is set to be replaced includes 5 levels of commercial space above a ground floor retail tenancy. In addition to 118 Mount Street, Zurich also owns a substantial land holding at 5 Blue Street nearby. 

<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/image13_22.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A 2017 render of the tower's ground level exterior. Image: FJMT"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="346" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_22.jpg?itok=8b_V7H3J" title="A 2017 render of the tower's ground level exterior. Image: FJMT" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A 2017 render of the tower's ground level exterior. Image: FJMT</figcaption></figure>Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp's approved 2017 scheme for 118 Mount Street is a continuation of their successful commercial design logic which has seen a string of projects share similar design traits.

In Sydney, the architecture practice is behind the completed Darling Quarter and 200 George Street commercial projects, with the latter skyscraper completed during 2016. 200 George is one of Australia's most environmentally advanced and sustainable buildings, receiving Australia’s first Gold WELL-certification for its tenancy during 2017, in addition to a 6 Green Star As-Built rating.

In Melbourne, Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp are behind a current mid-rise commercial application at 200-202 Victoria Parade in East Melbourne.

It includes a Net Leasable Area of 27,435 square metres, end of trip facilities plus outdoor terraces, and is backed by 200 Victoria Parade Development Pty Ltd.

<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/image17_20.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Selected FJMT commercial projects. Images: Commercial RE, Time and Place, FJMT"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="394" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image17_20.jpg?itok=nsa32JuG" title="Selected FJMT commercial projects. Images: Commercial RE, Time and Place, FJMT" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Selected FJMT commercial projects. Images: Commercial RE, Time and Place, FJMT</figcaption></figure>Lead image: Jagonal
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silvermb

Zurich Australia's renewed push to develop its North Sydney headquarters

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The Federation Square of Melbourne's east? When put in those terms City of Casey's Bunjil Place takes on a project of strong social significance for both the municipality and Melbourne at large.

With as many as 12 individual spaces within the Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp-designed civic project, the construction process is naturally as intricate as the building itself. Under the guidance of Brookfield Multiplex construction has hit full stride a second tower crane recently installed.

Additionally, the <a href="http://bunjilplace.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Construction-update-May-2016-WEB.pdf">official May project update</a> shows that the concrete structure for a large part of the site has reached ground level.

<blockquote>
Next up we’ll be pouring the studio slab, first level of the theatre seating and first suspended slab, including the function centre, kitchen and part of the City of Casey Customer Service Centre. Work is also being undertaken to prepare for the below ground substation and tank room slabs and the first of the pre-cast panels for the fly tower are being installed.
<cite><a href="http://bunjilplace.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Construction-update-May-2016-WEB.pdf">Bunjil Place Construction Update 05</a></cite>
</blockquote>

<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/img_4155.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bunjil Place under construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="407" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_4155.jpg?itok=kFbum3TK" title="Bunjil Place under construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bunjil Place under construction</figcaption></figure>According to Root Projects which is acting as project manager and superintendent, spaces and services slated for $125 million Bunjil Place include:

<ul>
<li>An 800 seat performing arts centre covering 3,500sqm with associated front of house and foyer, green rooms, fly tower, orchestra pit, rehearsal and technical services.</li>
	<li>500sqm art gallery and 500sqm multi-purpose studio.</li>
	<li>Community library and meeting rooms and civic customer service centre covering 1950sqm.</li>
	<li>Cafe and kitchen.</li>
	<li>Basement and at-grade car parks, loading docks, service areas and storage.</li>
	<li>Council service area incorporating reception service desk, call centre, meeting booths, meeting rooms and foyer.</li>
	<li>Council office accommodation.</li>
	<li>Council function venue and support spaces capable of seating 350 people.</li>
	<li>5000sqm open space are and community plaza.</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/fjmt.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of a completed Bunjil Place. Image: Architecture AU"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="339" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/fjmt.jpg?itok=EpA8p-cN" title="Artist's impression of a completed Bunjil Place. Image: Architecture AU" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of a completed Bunjil Place. Image: Architecture AU</figcaption></figure>As part of a AECOM event held yesterday outlining timber construction applications, Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp Principal Geoff Croker outlined the extensive role that timber will play in the final appearance of Bunjil Place.

Most prominent is the continuous timber lamella that will span the building's ground level ceiling with the project's foyer also framed by the dipping structure. The lamella shapes as a feat of engineering with a Swiss firm also involved in the design and engineering of the prefabricated structure which will be assembled onsite.

With timber and steel prominent externally, the building will also employ a curved glass façade allowing for a high degree of transparency.

A community plaza will be the centrepiece of Bunjil Place's external amenities.

<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/image4_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bunjil Place under construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="237" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4_6.jpg?itok=AKYXqZGA" title="Bunjil Place under construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bunjil Place under construction</figcaption></figure><a href="http://www.brookfieldmultiplex.com/bunjil-place-ready-to-rise-with-brookfield-multiplex/">Brookfield Multiplex</a> expect the 24,500sqm building to create more than 1,200 job opportunities while at construction and inject approximately $83.5 million into the regional economy plus $151.8 million into the Victorian economy.

Bunjil Place is due for completion in late 2017 and will reportedly attract in excess of 1 million visitors per annum.

The civic precinct is not the only project of note under construction in Casey with the nearby $120 million St John of God Berwick Hospital also sporting dual tower cranes in addition to those of Bunjil Place's; a rare sight indeed for the municipality which is 50 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD.
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The Federation Square of Melbourne's east takes shape

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I tend to think Melbourne's outer suburbs are bereft of any great substance, in fact they should be avoided where possible… it's one of the reasons why Urban.com.au came to be and why we champion higher density living closer to the city's heart.

There are of course exceptions to the rule, and today's exception is a momentous one at that.

A construction tender is now open for Bunjil Place, City of Casey's initiative to create "A unique cultural, community and civic facility that will be a centerpiece for Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs". As one of the largest projects undertaken by a local government in Australia, Bunjil Place has a budget of $125 million and a target of 1 million annual visitors upon completion.

With Brookfield Multiplex, Leighton Contractors, Lend Lease and Probuild shortlisted during mid 2015, the successful contractor is set to be revealed later in the year with works to begin in earnest before the new year in order to meet a late 2017 opening date.

<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/home-banner-3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A new drawcard for Melbourne's south eastern suburbs. Image courtesy bunjilplace.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="306" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/home-banner-3.jpg?itok=JI76RBzR" title="A new drawcard for Melbourne's south eastern suburbs. Image courtesy bunjilplace.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A new drawcard for Melbourne's south eastern suburbs. Image courtesy bunjilplace.com.au</figcaption></figure>Subject to a two-stage design competition, Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp were chosen as project architect for the 22,000sqm mixed-use community-based facility. According to City of Casey, Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp were able to incorporate a number of Council's objectives into the design, which includes:

<ul>
<li>A community, cultural and civic heart</li>
	<li>An identity that reflects community values</li>
	<li>Telling the story of our community and celebrates our history and diversity</li>
	<li>A strong inclusive, inviting and engaging public plaza</li>
	<li>An activated and engaging space for events and informal meetings</li>
	<li>Complementary surrounding facilities</li>
	<li>A truly unique design that instils pride and ownership by the community</li>
	<li>A visible and transparent connection with Council</li>
	<li>Harness emerging technologies and digital art forms</li>
</ul>
Bunjil Place will include a purpose-built 800 seat theatre, multi-purpose exhibition space, regional art gallery, community library, community plaza and new Council Chambers.

<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/library-3.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Cutaway of the new Casey library component. Image courtesy bunjilplace.com.au"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="367" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/library-3.png?itok=NzamELrJ" title="Cutaway of the new Casey library component. Image courtesy bunjilplace.com.au" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cutaway of the new Casey library component. Image courtesy bunjilplace.com.au</figcaption></figure><h2>Comment</h2>

You must hand it to City of Casey for having the foresight and endeavour to bring to fruition a facility such as Bunjil Place. From conception to completion, the project would have spanned the best part of five years.

It's unfathomable to think that a facility such as Bunjil Place would be built in certain other parts of outer Melbourne, yet it could be argued this is exactly what's required. For instance would Wyndham City Council contemplate an equivalent community asset on such a scale?

Add Cranbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens to the mix and City of Casey will soon enough sport two world class attractions that not only serve the immediate community, but draw in users/visitors from elsewhere. Hats off to City of Casey.
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Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp

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