Construction has begun on a project that will transform one of Melbourne’s largest heritage sites into its largest carbon-neutral adaptive reuse precinct.

Located at Kensington and built in 1901, the historic ‘Younghusband’ buildings spent the first 70-odd years of their existence as woolsheds. Having been used for a variety of purposes since the 1970s, the two buildings are now set for a complete reimaging.

As part of a three-stage plan – conceived by Australian construction and development company Built, global investment group Ivanhoé Cambridge and property investment and asset management group Irongate – Younghusband will be transformed (courtesy of architects Woods Bagot) into 17,560 square metres of A-grade office space. In addition, a new town centre including retail and hospitality space will be created.

The project’s third stage, which is pending approval, involves the addition of a further 13,300 square metres of A-grade office across a six-level building, as well as a large public zone to encourage foot traffic through the precinct.

According to Built managing director and CEO Brett Mason, sustainability is central to the plan: “Younghusband will create Melbourne’s largest carbon-neutral adaptive reuse precinct, reimagining and revitalising one of the city’s largest heritage sites and creating a connected and sustainable destination for work and play,” he said.

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More specifically, it is set to achieve significantly robust sustainability targets when completed, including 5.5 Star NABERS Office Energy (base building), 4.5 Star NABERS Water, 6-star Green Star Design, WELL Core v2 Gold and WELL Platinum, as well as being fully carbon neutral.

Beyond sustainability, as Woods Bagot principal Peter Miglis pointed out, the redevelopment will honour the site’s significant heritage values. It will restore the iconic red brick exteriors of the warehouses and their hipped roofs, with minimal changes to facades.

“For generations, these buildings have been impenetrable heritage monuments that people couldn’t access. This design flings open that history for the first time, creating a community asset and modern workplace that utilises an incredible location and the demand for authentic, contemporary office environments,” says Miglis.

Woods Bagot
woodsbagot.com

Built
built.com.au

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