Melbourne’s historic Jam Factory precinct, located on Chapel Street in South Yarra, could be transformed into a $1.5 billion mixed-use precinct under an updated proposal designed by Bates Smart, Townshend Landscape Architects and Leonard Design Architects.
The proposal includes four residential towers, a hotel, and commercial, retail and entertainment spaces. A new civic space will be created with a two-level plaza and amphitheatre. The proposal also includes a series of laneways based on an original 1864 masterplan for the area.
The heritage facade of the original building will be retained while new commercial and residential buildings will sit above it.
“This is a significant mixed-use development, because the combination of its components – hotel, retail, residential, cinemas and commercial – create a greater whole. Together there is a multiplier effect,” said Bates Smart director Simon Swaney.
“It is a key Melbourne cultural site, a part of urban life in South Yarra, a very significant artefact of the industrial heritage of this area.
The Jam Factory was originally built in 1858 for use as the Victorian Brewery, the building was in near-constant use as a factory for a variety of preserving companies – including for the famous jam company Henry Jones IXL – until the 1970s when it was transformed by Peter McIntyre Architects and converted into a shopping centre. It was purchased by Melbourne-based investment manager Newmark Capital in 2015.
In 2020, Newmark Capital entered into a contract with Gurner and Qualitas for the delivery of the residential and hotel components of the project, while retaining the commercial and retail components.
The project is expected to be complete in 2025.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
