Victoria
The Munro site development, adjacent to the Queen Victoria Market was a continuous 7-year collaboration between the City of Melbourne, PDG Corporation and architects Bates Smart and Six Degrees.
The urban design strategy introduced a new central laneway (dhanga djeembana Walk) providing pedestrian links to the south through to Franklin Street, while additional smaller connections throughout the site encourage movement and increased activation.
The project presents a strong focus at the street level with over 80% of building frontages activated with retail and hospitality, further extending activation throughout the precinct.
The new underground carpark replaces the previous on grade parking and enabled the inclusion of an urban park to the precinct.
The full site features a Build-To-Rent tower, City Library, Family Services, social housing, underground carpark and Veriu hotel as well as new retail and food and beverage.
Commendation for Urban Design
The Munro Site exemplifies innovative urban design, seamlessly integrating diverse housing typologies and public spaces within a vibrant mixed-use environment. It establishes an active urban edge prioritising pedestrian movement through a widened footpath and a network of laneways, enriching Melbourne’s laneway culture. The ensemble of elegant built forms and engaging streetscapes enhance the legibility and identity of the Victoria Market precinct. Noteworthy for its meticulous integration of artworks, preservation of heritage structures, and the delightful moments woven into its fabric, it stands as an exemplary energetic urban hub.
The five things that make a good city are density, mixed use, connectivity, public realm and character. This hits all five and brings financial, social and environmental benefits for the City. Bates Smart and Six Degrees have skillfully designed an outstanding set of buildings that exceeded our expectations.
Bates Smart and Six Degrees delivered the vision for the Munro project. Their adept execution aligned with QVM’s renewal plan, creating an activated, culturally vibrant, sustainable community.
This exceptional design outcome exceeded expectations of PDG and City of Melbourne, which is testament to the genuine collaboration and design excellence that defined this project.
Cian Davis, Project Director
Peter Malatt, Project Director
Michael Frazzetto, Design Director
Claudia Fleuter, Project Architect
Damian Rough, Project Architect
Mastura Mokhtar, Project Architect
Darren Paul, Interior Designer
Ben Wilson, Project Architect
Denisa Syrova, Project Architect
Kit Chun Suen, Interior Designer
Luke Braakhuis, Documentation Lead
Leia Parascandalo, Graduate of Architecture
Graduate of Architecture, Kimberly Atkinson
Bhargav Sridhar, Project Architect
Jared Kennard, Project Architect
Bobby Wei, Project Architect
Erica Lienert, Interior Designer
Jane Carter Key, Interior Designer
Amelia Williams, Interior Designer
Rando Profnasta, Documentation
Maja Busatlija, Interior Designer
Voula Theophilopoulos, Interior Designer
Maree Paraskevopoulos, Interior Designer
Lorry Foca, Documentation
Anke Pfeiler, Interior Designer
Rob Armstrong, Project Architect
Brian Mason, Documentation BIM
Hua Li, Interior Designer
Ali Bolandnazar, Documentation BIM
Paul Grant, Project Architect
Acoustic Logic Consultancy, Acoustic Consultant
ADP Consulting, Electrical Consultant
ADP Consulting, ESD Consultant
Architecture and Access, Access
Ark Resources, ESD Consultant
Bates Smart, Interior Designer
Bush Projects, Landscape Consultant
Codus, Building Surveyor
Formium, Landscape Consultant
Introba, Services Engineer (fitout)
PDG Corporation, Developer
RED Fire, Fire Engineer
Simpson Kotzman, Services Consultant
Six Degrees, Interior Designer
Tract, Town Planner
Webber Design, Civil Consultant
Webber Design, Structural Engineer
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
