Building works are in motion on a mixed-use development in Melbourne’s retail centre, in what will be the first built project in Bourke Street Mall in more than 50 years.
The site, known as The Walk arcade, spans 3,600 square metres across eight separate building footprints. Designed by Buchan, the redevelopment will include 6,000 square metres of retail and hotel spaces
The new Melbourne Walk will be strategically located on Melbourne’s established north-south pedestrian trail in the city’s central retail precinct. Lead architect Hayden Djakic said the design respects the site’s rich heritage – bounded by historic streets like Little Collins, The Causeway and Union Lane – while contributing something new to Melbourne’s urban fabric.
Image: Buchan
“The notion of individual building forms will be retained behind four restored facades, with the spaces between allowing natural light to penetrate deep into the site and supporting an arcade and cross lanes at ground level,” said Djakic. According to Buchan, the new development will retain the facade of a 100-year-old Art Deco building one of the city’s tallest to remain.
“Union Lane will remain true to its service-lane origins, preserving the iconic graffiti street art in one of the city’s most Instagrammed locations,” added Djakic.
Buchan said a new nine-metre arcade will connect Bourke Street to Little Collins, conceived in the grand tradition of neighbouring Royal Arcade and Block Arcade, mirroring their 19th-century rhythm and volume. Melbourne Walk will be enhanced with expanded eating and dining opportunities including a new rooftop bar overlooking Bourke Street.
The redevelopment will target a five star Green Star Rating through inclusions such as a 450-square-metre native courtyard, the incorporation of recycled steel, the integration of a solar array and heat island effect mitigation strategies.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
