The new Victoria Police Centre looks set to become reality
Following news last week that Deloitte has all but signed up to Mirvac's 477 Collins Street project, another large-scale commercial office build is nearing reality with a construction tender released for the new Victoria Police Complex.
Located alongside the near new Melbourne West Police Station, the Victoria Police Complex at 311 Spencer Street would consist of approximately 40,000sqm of office space. With the calling for construction tenders, Cbus Property and project partner Australia Post now look set to realise the project following extensive negotiations with the Victorian government.
Both the Melbourne West Police Station and Victoria Police Complex share an 11,750sqm site which was previously utilised by Australia Post.
Created by architecture firm Woods Bagot, the new $300 million police headquarters has been designed to complement its $240 million neighbour which was completed during 2015.
According to Department of Treasury and Finance details, 311 Spencer Street was cleared during February 2016 to move to phase four of the development process after first being put forward during May 2015. Phase four involves the negotiation and assessment of a final offer between the State government and development team.
The market-led development would see Cbus Property and Australia Post fund and develop the new Victoria Police Centre in return for a substantial long term lease from Victoria Police, given the force's current lease within Docklands' World Trade Centre expires during 2020.
The proposed development creates a unique opportunity for Victoria Police to co-locate and consolidate their Melbourne CBD operations into one stand-alone precinct.
The features of the site combined with landscaping, urban design interventions, built form initiatives and invisible technologies will provide Victoria Police with a secure facility that remains integrated into the wider streetscape. The site is within close proximity to Southern Cross Station and provides excellent access and egress to arterial road networks.
The precinct will be a Melbourne landmark, creating new opportunities for the Victoria Police to engage with the community, whilst also enabling more effective services to be delivered to the community.
Market-led Proposals Guideline: Victoria Police Centre Project Overview
Incidentally 412 St Kilda Road which formerly served as the St Kilda Road Police Complex has been subject to a separate development process with ARM Architecture heading plans to convert the commercial building into luxury apartments.
Outlined by Urban.com.au earlier in the year, the project is the latest local foray for Malaysian developer UEM Sunrise with approximately 180 apartments set within the refashioned building, which will be clad largely in bronze coloured cladding. According to City of Port Phillip's Online Planning Register, 412 St Kilda Road received a council-issued permit during March 2016.