Docklands, Victoria: Difference between revisions
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Victoria Harbour features the colourful [[National Australia Bank]] headquarters, located at 800 Bourke Street, which accommodates approximately 3,600 staff. The building features large, open flexible floor plates, sunny atria in the heart of the building, a campus-style workplace and a four-star energy rating. |
Victoria Harbour features the colourful [[National Australia Bank]] headquarters, located at 800 Bourke Street, which accommodates approximately 3,600 staff. The building features large, open flexible floor plates, sunny atria in the heart of the building, a campus-style workplace and a four-star energy rating. |
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The first residential tower to be built at Victoria Harbour, was Dock 5. Rising 30 storeys, it was designed by award-winning Melbourne firm John Wardle Architects and derives its name from its location which was known as Dock 5. |
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[[Ericsson]] will soon also call Victoria Harbour home, with its new Melbourne offices nearing completion at 818 Bourke Street - on the water's edge next door to National Australia Bank HQ and Dock 5 apartments. |
[[Ericsson]] will soon also call Victoria Harbour home, with its new Melbourne offices nearing completion at 818 Bourke Street - on the water's edge next door to National Australia Bank HQ and Dock 5 apartments. |
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Revision as of 05:33, 17 October 2007
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| Docklands Melbourne, Victoria | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 View of Telstra Dome, Victoria Harbour and New Quay from the Rialto Towers | |||||||||||||||
| Population | 3939 (2006) [1] | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | Lua error: Unable to convert population "3939 (2006) '"`UNIQ--ref-00000005-QINU`"'" to a number. | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 2000 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 3008 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 3 km2 (1.2 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 2 km (1 mi) from Melbourne CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Melbourne | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Melbourne | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Melbourne | ||||||||||||||
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Melbourne Docklands is an area within Melbourne, Australia. Recently, much of this area has been reconstructed to become a new inner city suburb and urban renewal project in Melbourne.
The Docklands precinct was originally used for docks but fell out of use following the containerisation of shipping traffic. The space remained vacant and unused during the 1980's and was used for "special events" during the 1990's, becoming notable for a number of dance and rave parties.
When completed in 2015, the redeveloped area is expected to almost double the size of the city's central business district. With a population primarily living in high-density highrise apartments, its population is expected to reach 20,000 in 2015, and become home to over 25,000 office workers. The precinct is already a major tourist destination and Melbourne's tourist authorities anticipate over 20 million visitors per year in future years.
Melbourne Docklands is best known as home to the Telstra Dome, Southern Cross Station and a large number of modern buildings and eccentric public artworks.
It has become one of the city's most sought after business addresses[2], already attracting the national headquarters of the National Australia Bank, ANZ, AXA, Bendigo Bank, Medibank Private and the Bureau of Meteorology in campus style office buildings.[3]
As of Sunday, July 1, 2007 Docklands became part of the City of Melbourne local government authority. It has not been part of any local government authority (LGA); in essence it has been its own LGA, the Docklands Authority (now Vic Urban) whilst being a division of the State government. Although Docklands is now part of the City of Melbourne, Vic Urban retains urban planning authority until 2010, however the Planning Minister has the final say on the approval of a development.
History
With the advent of containerisation in the shipping industry, the docks along the Yarra River east of the modern Bolte Bridge, and within Victoria Harbour immediately to the west of the central business district, became inadequate for the new container ships. The principal docking area shifted closer to the mouth of the Yarra, creating a vast amount of vacant inner-city land. In 1989 several architectural firms were invited to discuss how the area could best serve the Melbourne public. A set of design principles was established by the Docklands Authority, which intended to maintain the quality of the public domain. The commission to design the overall plan was granted to Ashton Raggatt McDougall by the Docklands Authority.
Districts
 | This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. |
The area is broken up into a number of precincts, which are each being designed and built by a different development company.
Batman's Hill
The Batman's Hill precinct is adjacent to the western edge of the city and bordered by the Yarra River to the south, Spencer Street to the east, Telstra Dome to the north and Victoria Harbour to the west. The precinct is named after the historical landmark Batman's Hill, which was once situated within the area.
Batman's Hill is a mixed-use precinct including commercial and retail space, entertainment, hotels, residential sections, restaurants, cultural sites and educational institutions as well as the historic Rail Goods Shed No.2, which was split in half to allow for the extension of Collins Street into Docklands, providing businesses with an address that is considered to be prestigious. The area is 100,000 square metres.
More than half the precinct is already built, committed or under construction, and includes the Watergate/Site One apartment and small office complex, 700 Collins Street (home to the Bureau of Meteorology and Medibank Private), 750 Collins Street (the headquarters of AXA Asia Pacific), Village Docklands, Kangan Batman TAFE Automotive Centre for Excellence and the Fox Classic Car Museum. Currently under construction are 717 Bourke Street (consisting of a 294 room Travelodge Hotel and Esmod fashion and design college) and 737 Bourke Street (the new home of National Foods).
On August 2, 2007, it was reported that a $1.5 billion scheme had been earmarked for Collins Street by Middle Eastern investment company Sama Dubai, to be designed by leading architect Zaha Hadid and Melbourne firm Ashton Raggatt McDougall. The plan, should it go ahead would consist of four buildings, including Docklands' tallest tower as well as civic spaces spanning two sites to be built on decking over Wurundjeri Way. The proposed tower will be between 50 to 60 storeys tall and is said to be so green that it would deserve an eight-to-12-star energy rating. However no formal announcement has been made by Vic Urban or the State Government.[4] [1]
Stadium Precinct
The Stadium precinct, which sits on the eastern edge of Docklands, consists of Telstra Dome, Seven Network's Melbourne Digital Broadcast Centre and production studios (where interior shots for Dancing with the Stars and Deal or No Deal are filmed, as well as Seven News), Victoria Point apartments, Bendigo Bank offices, and Quest serviced apartments. It is linked to Southern Cross Station and the Melbourne CBD by the Bourke Street pedestrian bridge, built over railway lines.
Telstra Dome (originally Docklands Stadium then Colonial Stadium) was opened in March 2000. The ability for the structure to have both open and closed roof configurations has seen it host many sports events, including Australian Rules Football, soccer, cricket and rugby as well as concerts.
The complex is managed by Stadium Operations Ltd, which is owned by the Seven Network, with ownership transferring to the Australian Football League in 2025.
The successful tender for the 16,155sqm South East Stadium Precinct parcel of land is expected to be announced by the end of this year.[5] [2]
Digital Harbour @ Comtechport Precinct
This precinct on the waterfront has an area of 44,000 square metres, with development intended to eventually expand to include 220,000 square metres of commercial, residential, SOHO units and retail space. At present only two buildings have been completed; 1010 LaTrobe Street/Port 1010 (home to VicTrack, Australian Customs Services), and the Innovation Building (home of the Telstra Learning Academy and Innovation Centre ). A third building, Life.lab is currently under construction, while a fourth, 1000 LaTrobe Street, is expected to commence shortly.
Port 1010 received the Commercial Architecture Award at the 2007 Victorian Architecture Awards held on Friday 13 July.[6] [3]
Victoria Harbour
The Victoria Harbour Precinct is the centrepiece of Melbourne Docklands. The precinct includes a proposed extension of Collins and Bourke Streets to meet at the water's edge. It has an area of 280,000 square metres with 3.7 kilometres of waterfront; the 12-year construction plans for Victoria Harbour include residential apartments, commercial office space, retail space, community facilities and the development of public spaces such as Grand Plaza, Harbour Esplanade, Docklands Park and Central Pier.
Victoria Harbour features the colourful National Australia Bank headquarters, located at 800 Bourke Street, which accommodates approximately 3,600 staff. The building features large, open flexible floor plates, sunny atria in the heart of the building, a campus-style workplace and a four-star energy rating.
The first residential tower to be built at Victoria Harbour, was Dock 5. Rising 30 storeys, it was designed by award-winning Melbourne firm John Wardle Architects and derives its name from its location which was known as Dock 5.
Ericsson will soon also call Victoria Harbour home, with its new Melbourne offices nearing completion at 818 Bourke Street - on the water's edge next door to National Australia Bank HQ and Dock 5 apartments.
The Gauge, currently under construction at 825 Bourke Street will house the new offices of developer Lend Lease. The eight-storey building was designed to achieve a six-star energy rating, becoming the second building in Docklands to do so. It will also feature a Safeway supermarket opposite it on Merchant Street along with a number of other retail tenancies.
In September 2006, plans were unveiled for ANZ's new world headquarters to be located at Victoria Harbour. The complex will feature a vast low rise office building, shops, car parking facilities and a childcare centre. The new complex will enable 5500 ANZ staff to work in one integrated area, however ANZ will maintain its flagship building, 100 Queen Street Melbourne. The new ANZ headquarters will be the largest office complex in Australia. Construction commenced in late 2006 with completion expected in late 2008. The building will rise at 833 Collins Street, after the extension of Collins Street to meet Bourke Street is completed. It has been designed to achieve a six-star energy rating.
On Tuesday 7 August,2007, Myer announced that it had chosen Victoria Harbour as the location for its new Corporate Store Support Offices. The new offices will be built at 800 Collins Street opposite ANZ.[4]
NewQuay
Opened in 2002, NewQuay is a residential and commercial development currently with five residential towers and a podium building developed by MAB Corporation. Looking at the development from the water, the buildings are the Nolan, Arkley, Palladio, Sant'Elia, Boyd, and Conder.
The flagship building Palladio - which is shaped like the prow of a ship - is named after Italian architect Andrea Palladio.The podium building, Sant'Elia is named after another Italian architect Antonio Sant'Elia. The rest are named after Australian artists: Sidney Nolan, Howard Arkley, Arthur Boyd, and Charles Conder.
Aquavista, completed in May 2007, is a strata office development and the first commercial building to be completed in NewQuay as part of the HQ NewQuay development. Another, the seven storey 370 Docklands Drive is currently under construction with a further two buildings - Lots 5 & 9 - currently under design development.[7]
There is also harbourside dining at cafés in the precinct. The types of cuisines include Italian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Cantonese, Moroccan, Cambodian and Modern Australian. [6]
Yarra's Edge
Yarra's Edge is a residential precinct, and the only Docklands precinct south of the Yarra River being developed by Mirvac. When complete, it will consist of 11 apartment towers, costing AU$1.3 billion, and cover 0.15 km².
Yarra's Edge was one of the first developments in the Docklands, with construction of Tower 1 commencing in 2000. It is divided into 3 smaller precincts:
The Marina Precinct: Comprising the marina and boardwalk with six residential towers ranging in height from 25 to 47 storeys
The Park Precinct: Comprising Point Park and two residential towers
The River Precinct: Comprising a mix of lower level less, intense terrace-style developments and three high-rise towers towards the Bolte Bridge
To date only five apartment towers have been completed as well as the RekDek (located in the podium of Tower 1 and featuring a gymnasium and 25metre lap pool), a public promenade, Point Park (with an outlook towards the CBD) and mix of restaurants, cafes and retail including a day spa and convenience store. Yarra's Edge also has a 175-berth marina, giving boat owners previously unavailable proximity to Crown Casino and the city.
Webb Bridge is an award winning bridge designed by Denton Corker Marshall in collaboration with artist Robert Owen, forming a cycling and pedestrian link to the main part of Docklands through Docklands Park. It is the conversion of the former Webb Bridge rail link. The bridge is near the Charles Grimes Bridge over the Yarra.
Southern Cross (previously Spencer Street) Station
Waterfront City
Features include (from left), some residential and commercial buildings along the harbour at New Quay, the Seven Network digital broadcast centre, some of the original (now renovated) Melbourne docks sheds on Central Pier, the Telstra Dome (Docklands Stadium) (Next door is The Victorian Point Apartments), and commercial buildings, including the colourful lowrise National Australia Bank headquarters. In the background is the Melbourne CBD skyline, including the Rialto Towers and the Eureka Tower. The construction in progress of some buildings in Docklands shows the still evolving nature of this part of the city.
Waterfront City is a shopping and entertainment area that will include the planned observation wheel. Shops and cafes will be centred around this area.
The precinct on Victoria Harbour features an integration of retail, waterfront entertainment, tourism, dining, commercial and urban community. It has an area of 193,000 square metres.
Stage One was completed in December 2005 in time for the Melbourne Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race in January – February 2006 and the Commonwealth Games in March 2006.
The precinct currently features a large circus tent which hosts the International Circus Spectacular. Waterfront City will also feature Australia's Olympic Winter Institute, a $60 million ice sports centre scheduled to begin construction in 2006.
Stage Two includes plans for a public entertainment area incorporating the 120 metre high Southern Star Observation Wheel in the shape of a star [8] and a brand direct outlet centre, Harbour Town. Waterfront City will also feature restaurants, cafes, bars as well as cinemas, bowling and other family entertainment options.
Melbourne Central City Studios
 | It has been suggested that this section be split out into another article titled Central City Studios. (Discuss) |
Opened in 2004, Melbourne Central City Studios is Melbourne's largest film and television studio complex. The site is located approximately 1.5 km from the city's Central Business District. It has an area of 60,000 square metres and currently consists of five film and television sound stages of various sizes, from 743 to 2,323 square metres, and one warehouse/workshop measuring 6,793 square metres.
Eventually the Studios will include seven sound stages plus buildings to house art departments, wardrobe facilities, a construction workshop, production offices and storage. The Studios will cater for all forms of production including domestic and international television drama, TV commercials and film production and will achieve the Government's requirement of access for local production.
The first major contract for the new studios was the American film Ghost Rider; with a budget of nearly $120 million, it is the biggest feature film to be made in Victoria and features scenes involving Melbourne landmarks. Also filmed at the new studios was the international production of Charlotte's Web, a film based on the book. [10]
GTV-9 (Channel Nine) is currently renting out a sound stage at the studios for its big budget game show 1 vs. 100. The game show was initially intended to be shot at GTV-9 but due to the space that the 1 vs. 100 set takes up, no studios in the building were big enough to accommodate the show.
Docklands rave history
While the Docklands precinct is now a modern urban reconstruction zone, many of Melbourne's younger generation will remember the site as host to a number of dance parties hosted by Future Entertainment and Hardware Corporation during the 1990s, such as the Hardware events.
DJs and performers such as Paul van Dyk, Carl Cox, Jeff Mills, Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Marshall Jefferson, Cari Lekebusch, Adam Beyer, Sven Vath and BT headlined these events.
The biggest event hosted, in terms of attendance, was the "Welcome 2000" New Years Eve dance party hosted on 31 Dec 1999. The rave garnered worldwide attention from the dance music press and was one of the City of Melbourne's most celebrated and successful millennium events.
Photo gallery
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A panorama of the Melbourne skyline and parts of Docklands from Yarra's Edge at twilight -
A view of Melbourne Docklands from the Observation Deck at Rialto Tower
References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Docklands (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2007-09-26.
- ^ CBRE report pointing to Melbourne Docklands outperforming all other Australian office markets
- ^ ANZ deal sparks Docklands concern Article from The Age
- ^ http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/architect-to-transform-docklands/2007/08/01/1185647977807.html
- ^ http://www.docklands.com.au/cs/Satellite?c=VArticle&cid=1186035846836&pagename=VicUrban%2FLayout&site=Docklands
- ^ http://www.digitalharbour.com.au/default.asp?itemID=314&Title=latest%20news&catID=72
- ^ http://www.hqnewquay.com.au/Projects/Lots5-9/