- The City of Sandringham has given development approval
- Will deliver over 20,000 sqm of office space, and 400 residences across 42,000 sqm
- Newmark Capital will deliver commercial and retail components, Qualitas and GURNER will deliver hotel and residential
The five-tower redevelopment of Jam Factory on Chapel Street has been given the green light by the City of Sandringham.
The ambitious retail, residential, hotel and commercial precinct will deliver 18,500 sqm of new retail space, 20,000 sqm of commercial office and 400 residences across 42,000 sqm of residential space, along with 180-plus hotel rooms, a cinema upgrade and a new public realm.
In addition to the over $500 million from construction alone, the redevelopment is expected to contribute about $800 million to the Victorian economy annually. Residents are expected to spend $28 million at the precinct each year, along with over $12 million from hotel guests.
Newmark Capital will deliver and retain ownership for the commercial and retail components. Qualitas and GURNER will deliver the luxury hotel and residential components.
“We are incredibly proud to have achieved planning approval for this truly visionary redevelopment – a remarkable effort by all involved including consultants and council,” said GURNER CEO, Tim Gurner.
“We’ve been working closely with the project team, as well as council, to deliver something truly world-class – the redevelopment will put Chapel Street back on the map, not only as a retail hub, but as a luxury travel and lifestyle destination as well.”
Tim Gurner, GURNER CEO
“The team we have assembled for this ambitious project is in a league of its own, and we’re looking forward to commencing works on the site as soon as possible.”
Chapel Street revival
Lead architects Bates Smart have designed the new masterplan, which it says will reignite the river end of Chapel Street along with a Lovers Walk laneway which will become the main pedestrian link for Jam Factory.
The design will also feature over 2,7000 sqm of indoor common amenity and over 5,000sqm of rooftop outdoor common space.
Bates Smart will be joined by Townshend Landscape Architects and Leonard Design Architects to conceive the bold and innovative mixed-use precinct.
Bates Smart managing director Simon Swaney noted that the Jam Factory has been part of Melbourne’s social fabric since the mid-1970s. and is excited about the transformation into a new retail and hospitality hub.
“All remnant heritage fabric will be retained and restored – streets and lanes will connect the site to the surrounding street network and context,” he said.
“An active ground plane centred around a large northfacing village square will provide retail experiences, a new easily accessible supermarket and other essentials.”
“Other components include a range of residential apartments, a new hotel, upgraded cinemas, a new office complex, and basement-level carparking, to establish a truly mixed-use complex where the synergy between each component enlivens the other. Sustainability remains at the forefront of its design, with a net-zero target for the project.
“Architecturally, the site will exhibit strong sculptural forms, carefully managed massing to optimise light and sun access along with natural materiality responding to the context – the buildings will balance the need for solidity with a delicacy and lightness rarely seen in contemporary residential developments.”
Simon Swaney, Bates Smart managing director
Newmark Capital Managing Director, Chris Langford, added the redevelopment celebrates the site’s heritage while unlocking the potential of such a site.
“Our vision revitalises the Jam Factory, celebrating its rich character and history. The heritage facade on Chapel Street will be refurbished, bringing back the detail and original character. The laneways will draw people through the precinct, seamlessly integrating with Chapel Street and surrounding areas.
“It will be a thriving, integrated, shopping, working, living and entertainment precinct, the perfect place to live, work, play and stay. It will be a world-leading shared precinct, an asset for the whole community.”
Qualitas global head of real estate and co-founder, Mark Fischer, said the overwhelming support project speaks of the site’s blue-chip nature.
“Our fund investment strategy places an unrelenting focus on quality of our partners and quality of real estate, which gives us confidence this vision will soon become a reality,” he said.
