Docklands hits new a milestone while work starts on The Market
Melbourne's Docklands has hit a new milestone with over 1,000,000 square metres of commercial floor space either built or under construction.
The big numbers continue with 10,000 apartments having been completed or are under construction and 170,000 square metres of retail space as well as 60,000 square metres of hotel space having been delivered in the precinct.
Development Victoria expects the entire Docklands redevelopment zone to be 'complete' by 2025 whereupon it is expected 20,000 people will be living in the precinct, 60,000 people will be working there and all up, $17.5 billion worth of private investment will have been invested into the precinct.
What they say
Development Victoria’s General Manager Precincts, Mr Simon Wilson, said the milestones highlighted how far Docklands had come, with approximately 13,000 residents currently calling Docklands home and 58,000 jobs created.
“There is a real confidence in Docklands which is highlighted by the fact that many blue-chip companies have also moved their head office to the precinct,” he said.
“Construction is continuing on a range of commercial spaces such as Lendlease’s Melbourne Quarter, Walker Corporation’s Collins Square and the redevelopment of AsheMorgan’s The District Docklands.
“Docklands also sustains between 2,500 and 3,000 construction jobs annually.”
The milestone has arrived at a time when the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, turned the first sod of soil at a new fresh food-focused precinct at The District, formerly known as Harbour Town Waterfront City.
The $67 million precinct, to be known as The Market, will be anchored by a Woolworths supermarket and include 25 fresh food and speciality shops.
"Docklands is fact becoming one of Melbourne's most popular places to live work or visit," the Planning Minister said. "Major projects like these are a great way to attract more visitors and more families to live in the area."
The District Docklands - the rebranding and new focus - is an initiative of the Sydney-based Ashe Morgan retail investment and advisory group.
In the immediate vicinity of The District, The Docklands Residences, a residential and Marriot hotel development is currently progressing through a marketing campaign and 387 Docklands Drive is well under construction.
Elsewhere in Docklands, work continues on projects such as 839 Collins Street, 1 Collins Wharf, Collins Square, and Melbourne Quarter.