Work commences on $565 million mixed-use Melbourne development

Work has commenced on a new $565 million mixed-use development, located at 308 Exhibition Street, with one of the largest concrete pours in Melbourne’s history.

Construction company, Multiplex, has commenced main works construction on Malaysian property developer S P Setia own the project, with the construction being carried out by construction company Multiplex.

The three-metre-deep raft foundation is located on top of an existing railway tunnel, and the 1,000 square metres concrete slab will support the new mixed-use precinct.

Designed by Cox Architecture and Fender Katsalidis, the development comprises two high-rise towers, Sapphire By The Gardens and the Shangri-La hotel.

They will be connected by a sky bridge.

The project’s western tower will boast 62 storeys and host Melbourne’s newest five- star hotel, the Shangri-La.

The eastern tower, Sapphire By The Gardens, will comprise 60 storeys and house over 300 luxury residential apartments.

“We are delighted to commence the main works on this world-class development which is set to be one of the most significant projects in Victoria,” said Graham Cottam, Regional Managing Director of Multiplex Victoria.

“As one of Multiplex’s largest projects currently underway in Australia, we are very pleased to secure this contract and look forward to working alongside S P Setia to develop this new inner-city landmark.”

Both towers are under construction simultaneously with the sky bridge to be built towards the latter half of the project. Excavation and piling commenced in March, 2019.

Following S P Setia’s announcement in October, 2018 that Multiplex would deliver this project, the official contract signing recently took place for the main works.

Construction commenced in June, 2019 and is scheduled for completion in 2022.