Melbourne’s central business district has reached a major construction milestone with the topping out of 435 Bourke Street, a $1 billion commercial office tower developed by Cbus Property and built by Multiplex.
The 48-level structure has now reached its full height of 182 metres, marking a significant step toward its scheduled completion in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The project is set to become a defining feature of the city skyline while introducing a major sustainability innovation.
Work is now progressing on what will be the largest solar skin façade in the Southern Hemisphere, designed to support the building’s all-electric, net-zero operations.
The solar installation is expected to generate up to 20 per cent of the tower’s electricity needs, with the remaining energy sourced from off-site renewables.
Designed by Bates Smart, the tower will deliver approximately 60,000 square metres of premium office space alongside 1,300 square metres of retail and a three-level sky garden.
The development has been conceived as a vertical village, with the capacity to accommodate more than 5,500 workers in the heart of Melbourne.
The project continues a long-standing partnership between Cbus Property and Multiplex, which spans two decades and includes eight developments across Victoria and South Australia with a combined value of $2.5 billion.
Notable projects delivered through this collaboration include Collins Arch and 720 Bourke Street in Melbourne, as well as 83 Pirie Street in Adelaide.
Cbus Property Chief Executive Officer Chris Kakoufas indicated the milestone reflects the strength of the partnerships behind the project and signals continued belief in the future of Melbourne’s CBD.
He also noted the tower’s role in delivering a world-class workplace environment for the city.
Multiplex Regional Managing Director for Victoria and South Australia Ross Snowball emphasised the long-term alignment between the two organisations, highlighting a shared focus on innovation, safety and quality.
He also pointed to the building’s contribution to raising sustainability benchmarks in commercial development.
“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,” Snowball said.
The tower is targeting leading environmental certifications, including a 6 Star Green Star Buildings rating, a 5.5-Star NABERS Energy rating for base building performance and Platinum WELL V2 certification.
Sustainability measures have extended throughout construction, with the project on track to achieve up to a 45 per cent reduction in embodied carbon, significantly exceeding the original 30 per cent target.
This has been largely driven by the use of low-carbon concrete and reinforcement materials.
Construction activities have also been powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity, including the use of HVO100 renewable diesel for tower crane operations.
The project has generated significant employment, requiring extensive coordination across engineering, design and construction teams.
Workforce development outcomes have been notable, with apprentices, trainees and cadets contributing more than 12 per cent of total workforce hours, exceeding initial targets.
Female participation has also surpassed expectations, accounting for over 10 per cent of total workforce hours, more than triple the original commitment.
With structural works now complete, attention will shift to façade installation and internal fit-out as the project moves toward its final stages.
