A new, tree-lined public park1 on Market Street connected to the development’s publicly accessible and occupiable space via a large amphitheatre are key elements in the blueprint to transform an entire city block into a highly charged urban precinct activated to its core day and night.
Construction of the interconnected 164-metre dual towers – whose footprint will occupy less than the public open space – is more than mid-way and on track for completion in late 2019.
Inspecting the progress on site last week with SHoP Architects founding principal Bill Sharples, Woods Bagot principal Kate Frear says the building’s ambitious program – 184 apartments, a new five-star hotel to be operated by W Hotel, 49,447 square metres of WELL-rated offices and 950 square metres of ground floor retail – has been addressed through the composition of the vertical stacking.
Critically, there are no roofs apparent in the building, only terraces. From the open crown at the apex, the building cascades down as a series of spectacular, stepped terraces allowing for most of the building program to be habitable by humans or plants.
Frear credited the collaboration with SHoP Architects and the courage of Cbus Property and ISPT for the Collins Arch development to so successfully connect Melbourne to special opens spaces and gardens.
SHoP Architects Bill Sharples is confident Collins Arch will play a critical role in reconnecting the Melbourne CBD to the Yarra River and Southbank.
Comprising a whole city block of Melbourne’s central business district, Collins Arch creates a new epicentre, linking Collins Street to a network of dynamic spaces back to the Yarra River. The project demonstrates how an under-utilised part of the city can be transformed into an internationally significant precinct that activates the central core with a 24-hour life.
Increasing connectivity, activating the western grid of Melbourne CBD’s and creating a globally renowned destination for one of the world’s most liveable cities were key drivers in the design process. With striking dual towers connected by a sky bridge, the form of Collins Arch will be instantly recognisable and have a significant place on Melbourne’s skyline.
Resource from: https://www.urban.com.au/design/