Creativity Flows in Melbourne Design Competition Spree

Central Pier and Southbank’s iconic red stairs are among a host of public sites and buildings earmarked for upgrades to add value to Melbourne’s future.

The City of Melbourne would consider the possibility of hosting design competitions for the Queensbridge Square stairs and 10 other sites across the city at its meeting this week [August 13].

This included the Queens Corner Building at Queen Victoria Market as well as two affordable housing sites in the city.

The location of the these sites was not identified, however, a future mixed-use building with affordable housing at 506 Elizabeth Street and 51-57 Victoria Street, Melbourne, was.

“There are opportunities to improve the spaces used by services providers and to increase social and affordable housing in the area,” the council documents said.

“A design ideas competition would be ideal to explore options for the site to realise its full potential.

“Alternatively, a design concepts competition can be established for the site or either property.

“This would require the development of a functional brief for the site prior to establishing a design competition.” 

▲ Edmund Herring Pavilion within the Visitor Precinct of Domain Parklands and Melbourne’s Multicultural Hub are potential spaces for improvement.

The Melbourne Metro site at 19 Dallas Brooks Drive, Kings Domain, would be transformed into a multipurpose community room and pavillion.

Central Pier, Bolte West Precinct and Kings Way Undercrofts were also expected to be added to this list at a future date.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece said they were another step closer to the first design competition in a generation—with a proposal to transform two prominent sites with enormous potential.

“Design competitions have shaped some of the world’s most iconic landmarks from the Eiffel Tower to the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s own Fed Square,” Reece said.

“We know the red stairs are tired and in need of an overhaul. 

“There’s a huge opportunity here to create a modern meeting place for Melburnians. 

“A location that’s as well-known as ‘under the clocks’ at Flinders Street Station.” 

▲ The red stairs will be one of the first design competitions while Central Pier behind the Cow Up a Tree and Marvel Stadium are expected later in the process.

For Central Pier, it was currently being shaped by the Victorian Government, which shared its long-term vision for the site last week.

Community feedback shaped the vision and place principles to create “a resilient harbour where regenerated ecological systems enable people, flora and fauna to flourish”.

Development Victoria group head precincts Niall Cunningham said the community-focused space would draw inspiration from successful waterfront locations around the world.

“The incredible evolution of Docklands exemplifies the success of government and private sector partnerships in urban renewal, which we aim to replicate in revitalising the pier,” Cunningham said.

“The removal of Central Pier is a pivotal step toward its transformation as we start to consider viable opportunities for its future.” 

Marine contractor Fitzgerald Constructions Australia Pty Ltd had already started demolishing the old barges and sheds, which were built about 1916.

Docklands was one of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects and has undergone remarkable transformation over the past decade.