Work has commenced on the City of Melbourne’s Munro development, a key part of the $250m Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal program.
Positioned at the corner of Queen and Therry streets, the Munro development is set to provide $70 million in new community facilities for the area including a 120-place childcare facility, a family and children’s services centre, a community centre and kitchen, a city gallery and 56 affordable housing units.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the Council is expecting 24,000 new residents in the area by 2040 so it is essential that more community facilities and pedestrian-friendly spaces are provided to meet the needs of the growing population, in addition to encouraging more people to come to the market precinct.
“We’re delivering a new network of interconnecting laneways featuring retail stores, cafes and restaurants. The popular street art precinct in Blender Lane will remain and the new community facilities will better connect the market precinct to the city,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We purchased this site from the Munro family five years ago to protect the market from inappropriate development and prevent a supermarket or large chain stores being built in direct competition to fresh food offerings of the Queen Victoria Market.”
The Lord Mayor further said the historic Mercat Cross Hotel facade will be retained and restored as part of the development.
“We’ve made sure the Mercat Cross Hotel is incorporated as a central feature within the community facilities and the iconic sign and balcony will be a tribute to the site’s history,” she commented.
500 basement car parks will also be put in place to assist with making the iconic market more accessible for shoppers and freeing up the current surface car parking site for a new ‘Market Square’.
The Munro development is being delivered by developer PDG Corporation and builder Hamilton Marino.
PDG Corporation Managing Director, Vince Giuliano, said the development is an important step forward in realising City of Melbourne’s ambitious plans for the Queen Victoria Market precinct.
“The end result will be an exemplary mixed-use development that provides tremendous benefits to the community,” Mr Giuliano said.
“In collaboration with the City of Melbourne, we are now able to continue advancing Melbourne’s premier mixed-use project – a development that will be leading-edge for sustainability and liveability next door to Victoria’s most beloved and visited icon, Queen Victoria Market.”
The community facilities and basement car parking for market visitors are expected to be complete by 2021.
More information on the Munro development can be found here.