GURNER Group has appointed architects SOM alongside Buchan to design the precinct, in conjunction with its in-house architect and interior design business GURNER DESIGN HOUSE.

“We are incredibly humbled and beyond excited to have commenced works on what we know is Melbourne’s most important development site, which gives confidence to our high end purchases of completion date and quality,” says GURNER Group Founder and Chairman Tim Gurner.

“A truly once in a lifetime opportunity for our brand and team and also for the luxury clients who are able to purchase in this incredible precinct.

“Commencing construction on the site is not just a significant milestone for GURNER Group, it’s a huge step forward for the reinvigoration of the entire Chapel Street precinct. Our aspirations are to spearhead a new coming of age for the precinct so we have made sure to design a destination that can bring together world class events, activations and brands to the site and celebrate this special part of Melbourne.”

GURNER Group has officially commenced demolition works at its $2.75b, 20,000sqm Jam Factory redevelopment, marking the beginning of construction on one of Australia’s most ambitious and transformative mixed-use precincts.

GURNER Group and joint venture partner Qualitas purchased the remaining 65% interest in the site from Newmark Capital on 30th of June after owning 35% since 2021.

First constructed in 1858, the Jam Factory has enjoyed over 160 years of history, first as a brewery, then as a preserving and jam manufacturer, and later, as an iconic retail and cinema precinct that anchored Chapel Street through the heydays of the 1990s and 2000s.

Mann Group has been appointed to lead the demolition. Heavy machinery arrived on-site this week with initial demolition works to remove all non-heritage components across the 20,000sqm site, including the existing Village Cinema complex following their last day of operation last week, while protecting the building’s iconic façade.

GURNER Group has this week unveiled renders of the new precinct that will be home to 600 ultra luxury residences over five landmark towers, 10,000sqm commercial private office, 20,000sqm of luxury retail and hospitality, a World Class Village Cinema + Gold Class complex, a 5-star hotel (operator in final negotiations), as well as a boutique lifestyle hotel.

London landscape designer Townshend has been appointed to craft the impeccable gardens and landscaping that will emulate the grounds of Toorak mansions.

The Jam Factory redevelopment will deliver approximately 600 new dwellings over five towers in Melbourne’s sought-after inner fringe, while anchoring the transformation of Chapel Street to reinvigorate it with a 2,500sqm north-facing public piazza called Village Square, that will rival the world’s most iconic public realms, surrounded by hotels, retail, hospitality, commercial office and residential.

“Our brand and business is focussed on these large-scale projects; where we are typically competing against the public companies, are we are able to bring speed, flexibility and a high amount of innovation and creating thinking to these special sites,” Gurner says.

“Our vision for the Jam Factory is to create a renewed world class cultural icon, and a destination for all of Melbourne that brings people together for dining, entertainment, culture and experiences. We are humbled to be able to start construction and feel honoured to be the custodians of this special site.

“To be able to bring Jam Factory back to life with our friends at Village is incredibly exciting and we will be building them what we know will be the world’s best movie precinct. To be able to create a retail, hospitality, hotel and residential precinct like this in the heart of South Yarra over 20,000m of land is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Render supplied by GURNER Group.

Clémence Carayol

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