Victoria Racing Club’s new $128-million state-of-the-art Club Stand at Flemington Racecourse has achieved completion.
Designed by leading Australian architecture and interior design practice, Bates Smart, the five-level Club Stand was built by Multiplex on schedule, in time for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Representing the 10th grandstand to be built at Flemington since 1865, the new Club Stand sets a new benchmark for racecourse facilities.
Bates Smart director Kristen Whittle, who led the design team, says the elegant design took inspiration from Flemington’s iconic rose garden beds. The curvilinear form of the build with operable glass facades creates an immersive experience for members who will have impressive views as well as a genuine theatre-like experience of the racetrack.
Bates Smart director of Interior Design Jeff Copolov says the Club Stand celebrates the rich history and character of Flemington Racecourse with sweeping 360-degree views of the Mounting Yard, Race Track, Members Lawn, Parade Ring, Betting Ring and Winning Post.
VRC Chairman Amanda Elliott added that the Club was delighted to reach this significant milestone ahead of its hallmark events in the spring racing season.
Some of the design highlights of the Club Stand include ‘petal’ projections along the perimeter of the stand on each floor constructed using 90 precast panels, each weighing up to 30 tonnes; external walkway on the first floor wrapping around the Club Stand and connected to the existing Members Grandstand and Parade Ring; a new north-south corridor at the heart of the stand linking the Betting Ring with the Members Lawn and Mounting Yard; and the Roof Garden on Level Four offering landscaped open and enclosed spaces beneath canopies.
