Melbourne shopping hub Melbourne Central, is set to undergo dramatic transformations in its biggest redevelopment in 20 years.
The renovations, subject to approval by Melbourne City Council, are set to begin in early 2020 and will start with the addition of a 10 storey commercial office tower dubbed Frame.
The plans for the centre also include a new, 2000 square metre, open-air, public rooftop space, experiential spaces, a large-scale art installation and new hawker stalls. Two new retail levels will also be added which will transition into the office tower's skylobby and rooftop.
Artist renders of the planned rooftop.
The developments will complement the newly opened 1800 square metre food and drink hub, ELLA.
As a tribute to the previous design of the centre, the GPT Group (owners of Melbourne Central), has brought back the original architects ARM Architecture, who were responsible for the laneway and precinct design Melbourne Central is recognised for.
GPT Group development manager Romina Edwards, said that the reimagined Melbourne Central will shift away from being a place purely for buying and selling.
"The centre has brought first-to-market concepts and experiences to the people and always in a way that is raw and real.
"This redevelopment and bold vision for Melbourne Central will deliver a new generation of compelling experiences that will set the benchmark for Australian inner city living.
"It will be the first retail centre to shift away from being a place of solely consumerism, to a temple of meaning.
"The new Melbourne Central will deliver genuine cultural experiences with new and unexpected partners and challenge the way people perceive and experience retail," she said.
ARM Architecture principal Ian McDougall, said that the new Melbourne Central will set a benchmark for retail spaces.
"Melbourne Central is really reconceiving the notion of what retail is and exploring what else it can be and seeing its own rooftop as a valuable site for more than just financial exchange.
"This redevelopment will create a new street level for Melbourne - but in the air.
"It will be a meeting place where our work and play selves will convene. Not only is Frame a new idea of the workplace, but Melbourne Central will be a new benchmark for inner city culture," he said.
According to The GPT Group, the redevelopment will be constructed with minimal impacts to trading.
Artist renders.
