35 Bourke Street, Cbus Property’s $1 billion Melbourne CBD commercial office tower, has reached its tallest point, with Multiplex ‘topping out’ the 48-level structure. Works are now underway on the largest ‘solar skin’ façade in the Southern Hemisphere – a major innovation supporting the all-electric building’s net-zero operations.
Designed by Bates Smart, the 182-metre-tall tower will deliver approximately 60,000 square metres of premium office space, 1,300 square metres of retail and a three-level ‘sky garden’. Once complete, the ‘vertical village’ will accommodate more than 5,500 city workers in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
It is the latest development under Cbus Property and Multiplex’s 20-year partnership. Multiplex has delivered eight projects for the superannuation fund-backed integrated property investor and developer across Victoria and South Australia – worth a combined total of $2.5 billion. These include the iconic Collins Arch and 720 Bourke Street in Melbourne, as well as the landmark 83 Pirie Street in Adelaide.
A topping out event was held on site to mark the milestone yesterday, attended by Multiplex Regional Managing Director – VIC & SA Ross Snowball, Cbus Property’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Chris Kakoufas, and City of Melbourne’s Deputy Lord Mayor, Roshena Campbell.
Cbus Property’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Chris Kakoufas, said the milestone reflected the strength of the partnerships behind the project, while reinforcing confidence in Melbourne’s long-term economic future and office outlook.
“Reaching topping out at 435 Bourke Street is a major achievement for the project team and all partners involved in bringing this city-defining office tower to life,” Mr Kakoufas said.
“It is also an important moment for Melbourne, signalling continued investment in the CBD and the delivery of world-class workplaces.”
Multiplex’s Regional Managing Director for Victoria and South Australia, Ross Snowball, echoed Mr Kakoufas sentiments, saying the partnership between Multiplex and Cbus Property was “built on 20 years of success”
“Our enduring partnership reflects our long-term alignment and mutual focus on innovation, safety and quality,” Mr Snowball said.
“435 Bourke Street is already setting benchmarks for sustainable commercial development in Melbourne and we are proud to see it enhance the city’s skyline,” Mr Snowball said.
The solar skin will deliver up to 20 per cent of the building’s total electricity, with the remainder supplemented by offsite renewable energy. The tower is targeting industry-leading sustainability credentials, including a 6 Star Green Star Buildings certified rating, a 5.5-Star NABERS Energy (Base Building) rating and Platinum WELL V2certification.
Sustainability initiatives have extended to construction, with Multiplex on track to achieving up to a 45 per cent reduction in embodied carbon across the build, outperforming its original target of 30 per cent. The use of low carbon concrete and reinforcement has been the main contributor to the reduction. Construction has been powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity, including the use of HVO100 renewable diesel for tower crane operations.
A significant employment generator throughout its delivery, the project required thousands of hours of planning, engineering, coordination and on‑site execution across structural, façade, building services and design teams.
The project has delivered strong workforce diversity and skills development outcomes, with apprentices, trainees and cadets accounting for more than 12 per cent of total workforce hours, exceeding the original 10 per cent commitment. Female participation has also been a standout, representing more than 10 per cent of total workforce hours to date, more than three times the original target.
The project is scheduled for completion in Q4 2026.