Mammoth Empire

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Another of the squadron of tall residential towers dotting the CBD's northern expanses has topped out. Empire Melbourne is a predominantly precast monolith highlighted by vertical gold fins set at different angles.

Head contractor Probuild last week took Empire Melbourne to its high point, topping out the tower with the final level completed. The rapid work of Caelli in erecting the concrete structure coupled with the Probuild Construction Systems program has allowed the 62-storey tower to reach structural completion well ahead of schedule.

Empire Melbourne now stands on the south-east corner of A'Beckett and Elizabeth Streets, directly opposite MY80, which was the first collaboration between Probuild, Malaysian-based developer Mammoth Empire, PDS Group and architecture firm Hayball.

Combined, MY80 and Empire Melbourne have added 968 apartments to the intersection.

<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_9562.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Gold the order of the day, as seen from A'Beckett Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_9562.jpg?itok=Tg4DHk3n" title="Gold the order of the day, as seen from A'Beckett Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Gold the order of the day, as seen from A'Beckett Street</figcaption></figure>Delivered under a design and construct contract, Probuild's accelerated delivery of Empire Melbourne has the project on course to be delivered months ahead of its intended completion.

<blockquote>
The innovation at Empire has accelerated usual fitout timelines achieved with traditional building techniques. By implementing Probuild Construction Systems we’ve been able to make the most of every opportunity and exceed our client’s expectations.

I’m extremely proud of our people working at Empire. At Probuild we hire the industry’s best and they’ve delivered the best for our client, Mammoth Empire.
<cite>Probuild Managing Director Luke Stambolis</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
We’re delighted to have reached this milestone and thank our partners, particularly Probuild, for getting us to this stage 3 months ahead of schedule. Mammoth and PDS Group have partnered successfully in the past, with MY80 (across the road) finishing in 2014 and we look forward to Empire receiving its first residents later this year.

Mammoth and PDS Group wish to thank our partners for their innovation and hard work to date.
<cite>CEO of PDS Group, Andrew Fortey</cite>
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348 apartments with Empire Melbourne along with all common areas are scheduled to be handed over on 31 July 2017. Thereafter settlements will take place, with the balance of apartments nominated for a September 2017 handover; well in advance of the initially nominated completion date of December 2017.

In addition to the 487 apartments in total, Empire Melbourne also includes 2 retail spaces, 8 motorbike and 173 bicycle spaces. Project amenities include a gym, yoga/multi-purpose room, pool, sauna, lounge and dining spaces.

<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/image79_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Empire Melbourne. Image: Ryan Seychell"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="570" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image79_6.jpg?itok=xTbNmOTs" title="Empire Melbourne. Image: Ryan Seychell" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Empire Melbourne. Image: Ryan Seychell</figcaption></figure>Project specifics aside, Empire Melbourne joins a growing cast of towers along Elizabeth Street's eastern flank that present as vertical 'walls' from street level, with only token podiums and/or setbacks.

A product of previous planning laws, the flourish of tall towers in this stretch defined by their sheer vertical form has markedly changed the Elizabeth Street streetscape. Five of six substantial residential towers facing Elizabeth Street have either been or are close to completion.

In discussion with one of Melbourne's leading architects last week, comment was passed on this new stretch of towers along Elizabeth Street; "What will we make of these towers in 20 years time? What sort of legacy will they leave?"
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silvermb

Empire Melbourne tops out, but is it Melbourne's Empire rose?

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The successful relationship between developer, architect and development/project manager rolls on with the emergence of plans for 15-27 Wreckyn Street.

With Mammoth Empire Holdings securing the site post an expression of interest campaign dating back to July 2014 which was handled by CBRE City Sales, plans for the North Melbourne site have been lodged two years later. Called for over the 2,271sqm are 191 dwellings, by way of apartments and a solitary townhouse.

Hayball are once more the architect of choice with PDS Group returning as project manager. Wreckyn Street shapes as Mammoth Empire Holdings' third Melbourne apartment development.

Formerly owned by Lort Smith veterinarian hospital, the T-shaped land holding maintains 130m of frontage to four separate street addresses.

<h2>15-27 Wreckyn Street aplication summary</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/image18_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Wreckyn Street perspective. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="416" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_10.jpg?itok=WZxTHOFz" title="Wreckyn Street perspective. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Wreckyn Street perspective. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Application lodged July 2016</li>
	<li>Current use: vacant site post demolition </li>
	<li>Proposed: 11 level residential building at 33.9m in height</li>
	<li>191 dwellings: 1 x 2BR townhouse, 104 x 1BR, 85 x 2BR, 1 x 3BR</li>
	<li>71sqm retail space to Wreckyn and Vale intersection</li>
	<li>115 vehicle bays and 1119 bicycle bays within 3 basement levels</li>
	<li>Level 4 communal terrace at 151sqm &amp; level 8 communal lounge/terrace at 255sqm</li>
</ul>
With immediate buildings ranging between 5-6 levels, 15-27 Wreckyn Street is larger, although in the wider precinct context there are height precedents including the recently completed 33 Flemington Road at 18 levels.

The project's Urban Context Analysis report has identified the balance of the Lort Smith Animal Hospital as a prime development capable of handling multiple development outcomes on a similar scale to 15-27 Wreckyn Street. On the same block AZX Group are in control of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/68-courtney-street-north-melbourne">68-74 Courtney Place</a> which involves another Hayball-designed apartment complex of 74 dwellings over 5 levels, raising the propects of the block bound by Wreckyn and Villers becoming a predominantly high density enclave.

15-27 Wreckyn Street itself will be finished off in a variety of brick patterned finishes with the hit and miss format prominent. Perforated metal screens, zinc cladding and brick snap precast panels will also be present over the project's exterior.

<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_7659.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Empire continues to make rapid progression at the top end of Elizabeth Street"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_7659.jpg?itok=mxzJUYTw" title="Empire continues to make rapid progression at the top end of Elizabeth Street" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Empire continues to make rapid progression at the top end of Elizabeth Street</figcaption></figure>Should Mammoth Empire's Wreckyn Street proposal proceed as planned, the Malaysian-based developer would take its Melbourne development catalogue to in excess of 1,150 dwellings.

One of the early high-profile Asian-based entrants into Melbourne's property scene over recent years, Mammoth Empire has mirrored a number of its competitors by seeking a smaller development opportunities post a big entrance within Melbourne's CBD. That came by way of MY80 on Elizabeth and A'Beckett which produced 487 apartments.

Second in line was Empire on the corresponding corner to MY80, which involves 474 apartments. At the hand of head contractor Probuild, Empire is rapidly taking its place in the crowded northern CBD area, leaving Wreckyn Street as Mammoth Empire's next Melbourne play.
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Mammoth Empire seeks approval for a third Melbourne development

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It's not often a developer scopes out Melbourne, likes what they see and not only develops projects in the city, but becomes inspired by Melbourne's urban renaissance of the last decade; particularly the successful transformation of streets, the refashioning of laneways, alleys and other spaces into attractive public places.

Mammoth Empire have sought to transpose some of these successful place making qualities, cultural engagement and diversity. Having engaged local architects <a href="http://www.hayball.com.au/">Hayball</a> on their sister tower projects, MY80 and Empire, they have sought to inject a touch of Melbourne into their Empire City development in Kuala Lumpur.

<blockquote>
Having added a number of Melbourne projects to its portfolio, Mammoth Empire Holdings recognised the city's success from an urban and development point of view, and that's what they sought for Empire City.

The fact that the masterplan and Architectural intent we prescribed have been upheld throughout the development process is a testament to the integrity of the design and its ability to evoke a true sense of place that is distinctive to Empire City.
<cite>Tom Jordan, Managing Director, Hayball</cite>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d6517.569708038471!2d101.61695982725861!3d3.160921136728303!2m3!1f5.812499999999927!2f7.324288722307653!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f20!3m3!1m2!1s0x31cc48cb531bb3b5%3A0x411f6b42c8237025!2sEmpire+City!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sau!4v1440027741251" style="border:0" width="100%"></iframe>

Located in Kuala Lumpur's Damansara and approximately 1km from one of the new and presently under construction <a href="http://www.mymrt.com.my/en/sbk/the-mrt-sungai-buloh-kajang-line">Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit stations</a>, Empire City is the flagship project from the Malaysian developer, for which Hayball was recruited to develop the master plan. Due for completion next year, construction of the greenfield site is valued at over AUD $1.2 billion. Mammoth's vision for developing the vibrant and cosmopolitan precinct, relied on Hayball's understanding of 'place making' and its importance in creating livable, dynamic and sustainable places, having been active in place making and precinct master planning for more than 30 years.

With 12 towers and medium-rise accommodation, Empire City will cater to the diversity of Kuala Lumpur's population and the market need for typologies to suit their varying preferences. From Studio apartments to luxury residences, Hayball's architectural principles have been adhered to throughout the development. Which is even more amazing when you consider Hayball had no ground presence in Kuala Lumpur during the project which was first conceived five years ago.

<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/empire_city.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Empire City hotel closeup. Courtesy Mammoth Empire Holdings."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="501" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/empire_city.jpg?itok=-jUsUh9E" title="Empire City hotel closeup. Courtesy Mammoth Empire Holdings." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Empire City hotel closeup. Courtesy Mammoth Empire Holdings.</figcaption></figure>Premium tenants including 5-star hotel chains, Marriott and Ritz Carlton have signed lease agreements for Empire City, which is seen as a retail and entertainment destination in its own right with 200,000sqm dedicated to high end fashion brands, lifestyle facilities including an Olympic-sized ice skating rink, 4D cinemas, swimming pool, gym, and hospitality venues.

The project required Hayball to design a mix of housing typologies which responded to cultural preferences and an appreciation and understanding of the differences and expectations in the local market. This meant having an understanding of the financial metrics and rethinking the apartment layouts the firm was traditionally accustomed to designing. To ensure Empire City's success and viability the project was benchmarked against precedent projects in Melbourne and internationally.

<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/b54bffcb-811b-4844-892c-a6e2428d253c_zpstr35patm.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Empire City construction progress. Photo courtesy of forum member D_Y2k.2^, Skyscrapercity."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/b54bffcb-811b-4844-892c-a6e2428d253c_zpstr35patm.jpg?itok=S8nClR0K" title="Empire City construction progress. Photo courtesy of forum member D_Y2k.2^, Skyscrapercity." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Empire City construction progress. Photo courtesy of forum member D_Y2k.2^, Skyscrapercity.</figcaption></figure>More locally, Hayball and Mammoth Empire are working together on a third project with Mammoth interested in developing future sites on the CBD fringe moving forward. Their strategy in Melbourne is to secure sites and build a brand.

Meanwhile Hayball is finalising plans for a "big CBD student housing tower" with projects such as the Lyric Theatre redevelopment in Fitzroy, South Melbourne Vertical School on Ferrars Street and 25 Trent St Glen Iris underpinning the offices strong and diverse portfolio.
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Laurence Dragomir

A hint of Melbourne in Malaysia: Hayball's Empire City

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PDS Group believe it to be the only relationship of its kind and scale in existence within the Australian property development sphere. Following Malaysian developer Mammoth Empire's entrance into the local market, they promptly locked away the Melbourne-based multi-disciplinary property firm to cover all aspects of their local venture.

PDS Group Managing Director Andrew Fortey explained that all aspects literally means all aspects - from solely representing Mammoth Empire's interests in Melbourne through to determining project participants, marketing budgets and distribution, project management onto coordinating buyer settlement. In effect PDS Group offered a "One-stop shop" solution for the newly completed MY80 apartment project.

<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/melbourne-sunset-second-star.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="MY80 midway through construction. Image © benwesleyphotography.com"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/melbourne-sunset-second-star.jpg?itok=m69Mlq_6" title="MY80 midway through construction. Image © benwesleyphotography.com" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>MY80 midway through construction. Image © benwesleyphotography.com</figcaption></figure><h2>Inside the newly completed MY80</h2>

​Designed by Southbank-based architects Hayball, the internals hold a feel synonymous with the prolific architecture firm. In line with the tower's exterior, the foyer, passages and communal areas are crisp, clean and modern without being ostentatious.

The A'Beckett Street entrance is defined by a perforated metal screen punctuated by strip lighting while the separate Elizabeth Street entrance carries the almost trademark Hayball textured/ruffled precast panel finish. MY80 Assistant Project Manager Mitesh Achari explained the dual entrances were the result of initially intending to hold a separate serviced apartment component within the tower. Ultimately further apartments were added into the podium and lower levels in lieu of the serviced apartment component.

The 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments within MY80 are supported by dual communal areas, with level 1 consisting of pool and sauna, cinema, residents lounge, external terrace and business centre. Perhaps the best feature of level 1, and a feature that should be more commonly implemented is the external terrace perched above A'Beckett Street and Elizabeth Street. The open terrace provides a point of interest back from street level while also giving the user an active muse to gaze upon.

Level 53 holds the rooftop sky lounge with impressive if not time-limited views (owing to future surrounding developments) over a 180 degree arc. Furnished by Doherty Design Studio, splashes of colour cut through the charcoal and reclaimed timber finishes throughout the sky lounge which includes a kitchen, external terrace and sizeable fireplace.

<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_0031_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Level 53 sky lounge stylings"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_0031_0.jpg?itok=HyrdIpL4" title="Level 53 sky lounge stylings" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Level 53 sky lounge stylings</figcaption></figure>Despite initial forecasts of roughly a thirty five month build time, MY80 was completed over a 28 month period. PDS Group in conjunction with head contractor Probuild refined the build process both pre and during construction to allow for maximum possible efficiency. Commencing in March 2012, practical completion was achieved mid-August 2014.

<h2>Continuing success</h2>

Looking ahead PDS Group will continue the fruitful relationship with Mammoth Empire as construction of the Malaysian developers second project, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/empire-melbourne-398-elizabeth-street-melbourne">Empire</a> draws near. Directly opposite MY80, Empire has already notched up near in excess of 400 sales of the 474 apartments on offer within the 181 metre project.

Preliminary planning and design works have also been set in motion for Mammoth Empire's third Melbourne project located at 15-27 Wreckyn Street. PDS Group will once again act as superintendent, development and project manager for the upcoming Hayball-designed residential project which will yield in the vicinity of some 150 apartments.

Elsewhere, PDS Group have a number of high-profile projects under their guidance, with <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/marco-42-48-balston-street-southbank">Marco Melbourne</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/claremont-manor-7-claremont-street-south-yarrav">Claremont Manor</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/560-flinders-street-melbourne">560 Flinders Street</a> approaching construction start. Also stay tuned for a pending announcement regarding one of Melbourne's more recognisable redevelopments, details of which will be announced by PDS Group shortly.

See below the set of images taken during our recent visit to MY80.
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