According to reports, the University of Melbourne’s new innovation precinct in Carlton, will be jointly designed by architectural firms Wood Bagot, Hayball and Aspect Architecture.
Once the site of the Royal Women’s Hospital, the site is strategically located within the Parkville National Employment and Innovation Cluster – and University of Melbourne vice-principal Policy and Projects, Dr Julie Wells, says that the project will reflect the University’s approach to campus development.
“We want our campus to be open to the community, and to provide space for engagement and collaboration. This precinct will complement the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct in Parkville, the Arts Precinct in Southbank and is part of the emerging Melbourne Innovation District”, she says.
Designed to support the vision of Melbourne as a ‘Knowledge City’, the $425m development will also be home to Science Gallery Melbourne, and will include student accommodation, retail, public spaces, as well as childcare.
“This is a significant partnership for Lendlease and the University of Melbourne on a project that will set a new benchmark in education and industry collaboration in a purpose-built precinct,” says Mark Menhinnitt, managing director for Lendlease Urban Regeneration, the main developer of the site.
“It will also create a vibrant hub for the Carlton and broader Melbourne community with shops, cafes, public spaces and interconnected laneways providing pedestrians with direct access to Swanston, Grattan and Cardigan streets.”
“This development will see the former Royal Women’s Hospital site regenerated into an open, light and contemporary precinct, meeting the highest standards of design and sustainability while also honouring the site’s heritage and history,” says Menhinnitt.
Early works have already started, with construction commencing in 2018.
