Retail and office site re-development.

Services provided

Property advisory
Project feasibility / due diligence
Project delivery strategy
Development management
Design management
Contract superintendent services

Challenge

The project at 388 Elizabeth St, Melbourne involved the redevelopment of a retail and office site, presenting unique challenges that required our team’s expertise in property advisory, project delivery strategy, development management, retail design management and project superintendent services.

The project faced the challenge of working with a historic building in a densely populated central Melbourne location, further complicated by local planning and specific heritage overlays.

Adding to the complexity, the site, originally a mechanic’s garage and petrol station, revealed a significant issue during the project: the discovery of an existing live petrol tank underground containing 20,000 litres of petrol. This unforeseen discovery brought the additional challenge of dealing with contaminated soil, necessitating careful and expert handling to ensure environmental safety and compliance.

Outcome

The redevelopment of 388 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, resulted in significant achievements. The project successfully increased the Net Lettable Area (NLA) and consequently, the landlord’s income.

This was achieved through a market-focused design that maximised the flexibility of tenancy types, catering to a diverse range of potential occupants. The increase in the site’s overall Net Lettable Area enhanced the landlord’s Return-On-Investment, showcasing the successful integration of contemporary design within the constraints of a historic and heritage-sensitive urban environment.

The project stands as a testament to the team’s capability to navigate complex redevelopment challenges, transforming historic sites into profitable and adaptable modern spaces. The successful implementation of retail design management and the role of retail construction consultants were crucial in overcoming the unique challenges posed by this redevelopment.