New homes, retail and commercial opportunities, educational facilities and green spaces are all set to be built across this inner-city location.
Victoria has just broken ground on major works to bring the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct to life.
Sitting at the heart of the large-scale Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Project, the innovation precinct is set to be home to a “world-class advanced manufacturing, engineering and design precinct,” according to plans from the Victorian government.
This includes the University of Melbourne’s new School of Engineering and Design campus, which is already underway and set to open next year, as well as commercial spaces suited to a range of light industrial and commercial ventures, bringing new job opportunities to this central city neighbourhood.
Located on the south of the Yarra River across the two municipalities of the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip, the larger project will span 480 hectares and encompass five defined neighbourhoods. The Victorian government has called this the "largest urban renewal project in Australia".
A Melbourne aerial view with the Fishermans Bend urban renewal area in the foreground. Image: Getty
The Innovation precinct, at the centre of the renewal area, makes use of the old General Motors Holden site bounded by Salmon Street and Todd Road.
Winslow Infrastructure Pty Ltd has been appointed to complete main works for Stage 1 at this historic site, which has just broken ground and will deliver new roads, a public park and the necessary infrastructure for the engineering and design facilities that will come in later stages.
The four other precincts – called Montague, Lorimer, Sandridge and Wirraway – will be largely mixed use, encompassing residential living, retail and office space. Existing homes and buildings, new constructions and heritage renovation will mix across these neighbourhoods to create a renewed vibrancy right on the doorstep of Melbourne’s CBD.
By 2050, it’s estimated that this area will be home to 80,000 residents and provide employment for 80,000 workers.
While it’s a long way off, excitement is already bubbling around the plans for this reinvigorated part of the city.
Several developments are underway now on the fringes of the precinct, offering the opportunity to watch the neighbourhood undergo a transformation, and be right in the thick of it once the rejuvenation is complete.
A rendering of a terrace at Port Lane, overlooking a community oval. Image: realestate.com.au
Port Lane, at 201 Williamstown Road on the Port Melbourne side of the project, is right on the edge of the Wirraway precinct and will offer a boutique selection of townhomes when completed later this year.
From Project developers ID_Land, architects Rothelowman and interior designers Hecker Guthrie, this costal-themed development (a nod to its proximity to Port Melbourne Beach) is currently offering a number of three-bedroom dwellings.
On the other side of the Fishermans Bend project, The Canopy at 272 Normanby Road falls within the boundaries of the new Sandridge precinct.
An apartment block that’s set to be home to more than 200 homes, this project from Gamuda Land and Hayball Architects draws heavily on the growing desire for eco-conscious apartments.
With EV charging, a 5 Star Green Star target and 7.5-star NatHERS average rating, the building will feature landscaping from Oculus to bring the name “Canopy” to life.
A rendering of the rooftop facilities at Canopy. Image: realestate.com.au
To the north, right on the banks of the river, Trielle at Yarra's Edge will be just across the road from the Fishermans Bend renewal area’s Lorimer precinct.
With one- two- three- and four-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom townhomes available, this Mirvac construction is set to offer oversized floorplans across its diverse array of dwellings, with an expected completion date in 2027.
Are you interested in off-the-plan homes? Check out our dedicated New Homes section.
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