This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has granted Cbus Property approval for its $1 billion commercial tower in Melbourne’s CBD.
Located at 435 Bourke Street, the permit-approved 48-level building will be one of the world’s first office towers featuring a “solar skin” façade, which will generate 20% of its all-electric base building electricity requirements on site.
“Following collaborative design refinement with the City of Melbourne and DELWP, we look forward to developing another landmark project for Melbourne’s CBD,” said Adrian Pozzo, CEO of Cbus Property.
The Bates Smart-designed building is targeting net zero carbon in operation, in line with Cbus Property’s commitment across its office portfolio, with the balance of energy required to be powered by off-site renewable energy.
435 Bourke will become the workplace of more than 5,500 workers, with a future-focused design centred on sustainability, wellness, community, nature and productivity, targeting a targeting a 6 Star Green Star New Buildings rating and a Platinum WELL certified rating.
“Our vision is to create another world-class commercial building that represents Cbus Property’s leadership in resilient and sustainable development, while enabling a diversity of experiences and working environments that respond and adapt to evolving workplace trends,” added Pozzo.
The tower will comprise around 60,000sqm of premium commercial office space, on top of 1,300sqm of retail space, 116 car parks and sky garden or elevated park.
While the sky garden will provide both social and collaboration space, the tower will also include several landscaped open-air or mixed-mode terraces.
“With people now accustomed to working in informal settings, the industry-defining sky garden, ground plane and mixed-mode terraces will set a new benchmark for diverse and naturally ventilated extensions of traditional workspaces,” said Pozzo.
The tower will form part of the 435 Bourke commercial precinct, an amalgamation of four sites on the corner of Bourke and Queens streets, including 140 and 150 Queen, 423 Bourke and 27 McKillop Street.
Colliers has been appointed to represent Cbus Property in the office leasing campaign.
“I am pleased to say that we have received extremely positive feedback from the market on the new design initiatives and have entered into genuine discussions with a number of prospective organisations, which see 435 Bourke aligning with their long-term accommodation needs,” said Andrew Beasley, national director for office leasing.
Beasley, noted that flight-to-quality buildings like this would help companies both retain and attract workers in a changed workplace landscape.
Demolition works for the 435 Bourke precinct are currently underway, with construction currently scheduled to commence in 2026.
