- The site is controlled by development consortium City Harbour, backed by the Liberman family
- Each of the towers will draw on architectural examples from cities such as Singapore, London, Dubai and New York
- Plans are expected to be lodged during Q4 2022
Ambitious developer Gurner has unveiled its most significant project to date; a $1.75 billion redevelopment in Melbourne’s Docklands, which will transform the site into a mixed-use, botanical destination.
The island infill site at 208-226 Harbour Esplanade is 18,000 sqm and controlled by the development consortium City Harbour, which is backed by the Liberman family who holds the development rights.
The site borders Wurundjeri Way, Dudley Street, La Trobe Street and Harbour Esplanade.
The project, now a joint venture between Gurner and City Harbour, will become the entrance to the city and Docklands from Melbourne’s West.
“From a destinational and tourist perspective, it will be something Melbourne has never seen before – it will create a lot of excitement, and drive huge interest to the area and be something truly different for Docklands,” said Gurner CEO Tim Gurner.
The development, which the developer says will be revealed soon, will become major wellness, recovery and performance centre offering a range of mixed-use, retail and commercial attractions with multiple mixed-use towers.
Each of the towers will draw on architectural examples from cities such as Singapore, London, Dubai and New York.
The towers will include a mix of luxury build-to-rent and build-to-sell residences and a hotel and sky-high hospitality venues.
Revised plans being finalised
Gurner is seeking to amend the existing scheme in order to unlock the site’s full potential. The revised plans are currently being finalised, which include increasing the size of the ground-floor public realm, with a focus on pedestrian circulation, public activation and communal shared spaces.
Plans are expected to be lodged during Q4 2022.
“As the business continues to diversify and grow we are heavily focussed on large-scale, mixed-use precincts like this where we can create something with real point of difference and enough scale to transform the area around it,” added Mr Gurner.
“This will be like nothing ever delivered in Melbourne and really put Docklands on the global map.”
Mr Gurner noted that there has been some great development progress in Docklands over the year, however, the teams ethos is to deliverer a product that pushes boundaries.
“..(It) will feel like you’re stepping into another world and experiencing something you didn’t think was possible in the built form,” he said.
“I’ve always loved the Docklands – I lived there with my wife for many years, and I always wanted to put my own stamp on it, but we needed a site that was large enough to be transformative – we’ll be creating a new world-class precinct, which will take the area to another level and put it on the world stage in terms of architecture, design and luxury property.
“We’ve taken cues from some of the best architects in the world, and some of my favourite designers – each tower will be distinct in its identity, centred around the ‘creation’ in the centre of the site, with additional public land and amenities, interaction between each tower and world-class mixed-use spaces.
TIm Gurner, Gurner CEO
“We are committed to helping Docklands become what we all know it must for our city to get back its claim as the World’s Most Liveable City. Docklands is the biggest opportunity in Melbourne for a world class precinct and we look forward to adding to its future.”
David Napier, City Harbour Head of Development added City Harbour is excited to partner with Gurner to develop the precinct.
“We know the team will create something unique that will redefine the Docklands and Melbourne,” he said.
