Lendlease Breaks Ground on Ancora Collins Wharf

Shovels have hit dirt on Ancora, Lendlease’s third residential building in the Collins Wharf precinct of Victoria Harbour.

The 28-storey building at 971 Collins Street in Melbourne’s Docklands will deliver 312 homes in a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments as well as townhouses and penthouses.

According to Lendlease, the project has already secured more than 50 per cent in presales.

Hickory is the construction contractor and is also working on LendLease’s second tower, Regatta.

For Ancora, Hickory is implementing several technical construction methods including various piling techniques and precast concrete solutions that enable a parallel-track construction program.

The building’s facade designed by architect Warren and Mahoney uses a three-stage design incorporating double-glazed glass, an aluminium cladding system, and textured precast concrete with Reckli and brick finishes.

The structural design transitions from a solid podium base to lighter upper levels, “reflecting a maritime theme” aligned with the Collins Wharf design objectives.

Ancora will connect to the neighbouring Regatta development via a podium, allowing resident access to shared amenities.

Designed as an all-electric building that includes electric vehicle infrastructure, the development is targeting a 5 Star Green Star certification. Completion is expected in 2027.

Regatta, at 951 Collins Street, also under construction, comprises 317 apartments across 29 storeys.

▲ Lendlease’s six-building precinct at Collins Wharf will deliver around 5000 apartments, including build-to-rent and build-to-sell units.

Extensive wharf works, including remediation of pre-existing wharf piles, installation of raker piles and construction of the extension to Australia Walk, are also part of the project.

Technical challenges include constructing on the finger wharf and co-ordinating extensive above-wharf road reserve and public parkland works.

The Collins Wharf precinct will ultimately comprise six residential buildings of more than 1800 homes surrounded by over 5000sq m of parks and community space.

Lendlease is developing the parkland concurrently with the residential components, including the extension of Australian Walk that forms part of the City of Melbourne’s Greenline project.

Lendlease executive director of development Adam Williams said Collins Wharf “is fast becoming a sought-after address ... within the well-connected, inner-city community of Victoria Harbour.”

In October Victorian planning minister Sonya Kilkenny approved the final three buildings of the Collins Wharf project that will add 915 apartments to the city’s housing stock.

Lendlease will also deliver these buildings—a 28-storey tower by Ewert Leaf and Kennon Architects comprising 349 apartments, and two Architectus-designed towers of 375 and 191 apartments.

The developer will have delivered more than 5000 homes to Victoria Harbour and more than 6500 homes to the Docklands.