Arden Precinct receives a construction boost
It may still be in its infancy, but the emerging Arden Urban Renewal Precinct has scored its most substantial construction project to date, with Hickory Group winning the Arden Gardens build contract.
The sizeable urban renewal area which is still at master planning has been earmarked for significant growth over the next 30 years. Arden Gardens will rise over Macaulay Road, with secondary frontages to Canning Street and Vaughan Terrace.
It is the latest project to head to construction for CBD Development Group, which also has Brunswick's tallest apartment development under construction.
On the border of Arden Precinct and City of Melbourne's pending Macaulay Precinct, Arden Gardens includes 299 apartments spread over two residential towers supplemented by extensive commercial/retail spaces throughout the podium, with Woolworths the anchor tenant.
Click here to see the project details of Arden Gardens on Off The Plan Melbourne.
Although the biggest, Arden Gardens is not the sole project at construction in the area, with a handful of other residential projects on the go.
abd Group is advancing construction of Reflections, which will be a 13 level tower set above 2 basement levels, creating 143 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. Adjoining Reflections, MAV Group have all but completed works on 1 Shiel Street which will add a further 39 apartments.
Elsewhere in Arden, Manresa Constructions is overseeing 241 Dryburgh Street whilst Built is in charge of CBUS Property's Volaire apartment project at at 9-19 Dryburgh St and 109-121 Ireland, West Melbourne. Ultimately that project will include 154 apartments, retail/commercial/cafe tenancies on the ground floor and basement parking.
The precinct's increased construction activity follows on from the recent approval of another substantial residential development nearby.
36-58 Macaulay Road was given the nod at the turn of the year for a mixed-use development consisting of 177 apartments, communal spaces and 176 car parking spaces. The design by Artisan Architects sees apartments spread between dual 10 and 13 level buildings, with an activated plaza included.
Approval for 36-58 Macaulay Road leaves Fridcorp's 3-15 Shiel Street as the major development yet to gain approval in the area.
Arden Precinct is expected to include 34,000 jobs and 15,000 residents by 2051. With the precinct still under planning, the flow of planning applications into Arden has lessened over the previous year as developers likely wait for planning landscape to become clear.
What is definitive is the creation of Arden Station, which will provide a bookend to the Metro Tunnel and act as a catalyst for urban renewal in the area upon its completion.
Arden will represent the next stage of Melbourne’s evolution as a world-class capital city. It will be a flourishing jobs hub that will boost Melbourne’s global competitiveness. Government owns much of the land in Arden, so it has a unique opportunity to ensure its planning is guided by world’s best practice in integrated and sustainable urban renewal.
The scale of this opportunity, coupled with the precinct’s excellent transport connections, make Arden a truly exciting project for Melbourne.
Victorian Planning Authority
For more information on Arden Gardens, follow the project link below.