The City of Melbourne is preparing the ground for the $40 million redevelopment of the Queen Victoria Market.
Councillors will vote on three separate applications on 13 April, for two new sheds designed by NH Architecture – the “trader shed” and “northern shed” – and the revitalization of the food hall to designs by BSPN Architecture.
While NH Architecture’s designs for the redeveloped sheds were first released in early 2020, the concept designs for the food hall are new.
“Traders have told us that the existing food court, which was built in the mid-1990s, is outdated and limits the potential to grow their businesses,” Melbourne mayor Sally Capp said.
“This upgrade will include an improved dining area including more seating, flexible layout, cooking demonstration area, greenery, new flooring and roof.”
Council management’s report to the Future Melbourne committee, which recommends approval for the food hall transformation, says the project would create “an exciting contemporary hospitality destination within [the] market precinct with an improved connection to Queen Street.”
The Queen Vic trader shed by NH Architecture.
The trader shed and northern shed, which received heritage permits from Heritage Victoria in December 2020, would include new logistics, storage, waste and recycling facilities, customer toilets and dedicated trader toilets, showers and meeting rooms for the market’s 2000-strong workforce. Sally Capp said they would deliver important safety, efficiency and sustainability improvements.
The advocacy group Friends of Queen Victoria Market, however, says the proposed changes risk developing a “shopping centre” operational model with fewer traders operating in a “boutique market” and entertainment precinct.
The group detailed in a social media post how the planned reduction in delivery points and loading time would create a “logistical nightmare,” noting that centralized delivery, unloading and re-stocking was more appropriate for a supermarket.
The Queen Vic northern shed by NH Architecture.
Council management is recommending that the redevelopment of the sheds be approved as well.
Capp said the construction of the food hall, trader shed and northern shed was expected to get underway in early 2022, subject to approvals.
“Queen Victoria Market is one of our most iconic destinations and we are committed to its renewal because this project creates hundreds of jobs now and will help to attract more shoppers for decades into the future,” she said.
“Investing in the market is about delivering upgraded facilities for traders and customers to help local businesses thrive again and bringing back the buzz to one of our most important tourist destinations.”
Works are underway for the $30 million heritage shed restoration and the Munro mixed-use tower development next to the market.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
