This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
HERITAGE Victoria is standing behind controversial plans to develop three high-rise towers and a public square at the southern site of the iconic Queen Victoria Market.
The proposed $1.7 billion Lendlease and City of Melbourne redevelopment has now received a heritage permit from Heritage Victoria, bringing the project one step closer to fruition.
The permits will now be assessed separately by the state’s planning department to determine the future of the precinct, to be known as Gurrowa Place.
The redevelopment includes three towers including a 49-level tower for student accommodation, a 46-level residential apartment block and a 28-level office building.
With the corner building to serve as a civic pavilion connecting Market Square to the north, south and east.
While the Queen Victoria Market’s existing open-air carpark would be transformed into a 1.8-hectare public green square, to be known as Market Square.
With a 220-space underground carpark to be developed within the development area bordered by Franklin, Queen, and Peel streets.
Opponents of the redevelopment have cited economic concerns for many of the existing traders in the market precinct, as well as worsening traffic for the area.
“The entire concept ignores, turns its back on, makes no mention of and physically separates QVM from the sheds while rapaciously stealing the market car park as a forecourt for the private mega high-rise development, Gurrowa Place, despite there being 17 hectares of open space, the Flagstaff Gardens, opposite,” said Mary-Lou Howie, president of Friends of QVM.
“This will have a negative economic impact on the operation of the market, and I believe will be the final nail in the coffin.”
While Heritage Victoria argues that the have a “limited impact on the cultural heritage significance” on the market.
Subject to planning and heritage approvals, construction of the precinct is expected to begin in early 2024 with completion expected for 2028.
