One year after construction commenced, Melbourne’s largest community hub is beginning to take shape.
The Munro development – adjacent to Queen Victoria Market – has hit an important milestone with excavation now complete and construction starting on the foundations and the basement car park.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said City of Melbourne is on track to deliver the city’s newest community hub with a child care centre, community facilities, event spaces and affordable housing.
“We’re expecting 24,000 new residents in this area by 2040 so it’s essential we provide more community facilities and pedestrian spaces to meet the needs of the growing population, as well as encouraging more people to come to the market precinct,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Our investment will provide $70 million in community facilities including a 120-place childcare centre, maternal and child health services, 48 affordable housing units and 2500 square metres of open space and laneways.
“More than 130,000 cubic tonnes of soil have been removed over the past year and excavation works are now complete. Cranes are now in place, which marks a major milestone in the delivery of these much needed community facilities.”
The Munro development will set a new standard in sustainability and is one of the first major projects delivered under the 6 Star Green Star Communities accreditation for the precinct.
Along with community facilities, the Munro project will also feature retail outlets complementary to the market, a boutique hotel and Melbourne’s first build-to-rent residential apartments.
The car park and community facilities are expected to be completed in mid-2021 and early 2022 respectively.
The car park at the Munro site will provide 500 spaces operated by Queen Victoria Market to ensure customers continue to have access to affordable car parking. Shoppers will have less than 20 metres walk to the market’s fruit and vegetable traders in I Shed.
Up to 500 car parks will also be provided in a proposed future development to the south of the market.
The Munro development is a key Queen Victoria Market precinct renewal project and is being delivered by PDG Corporation and builder Hamilton Marino.
View time-lapse footage of the site
excavation over the past 12 months
