Work will commence this month on a new $110-million office tower development in the ‘Little Lon’ district of Melbourne.
Developer ISPT has secured national health, wealth and living company Australian Unity as the major tenant for the new 16-storey office building at 271 Spring Street, meaning construction can commence almost immediately.
Designed by John Wardle Architects in collaboration with heritage architect Bruce Trethowan, the new building will be built above the 1925-built Elms Family Hotel heritage building below.
ISPT CEO Daryl Browning said that the development of 271 Spring Street will complete one of Melbourne’s most historic precincts with the careful integration of the office tower. He explained that JWA and heritage architect Bruce Trethowan worked hard to develop a scheme that embraced and celebrated the heritage values of the site, while providing an "elegant" and "sophisticated" tower.
The development was subject to some objections from the public and heritage committees including Melbourne Heritage Action which made a failed attempt to have the application thrown out by council.
Australian Unity has agreed to a 15-year term over the entire 15,600 square metres of the 16-level office building. Completion is anticipated in mid-2019.
