JCB welcomed our collaborators on Gurrowa Place – Nick Bourns from NH Architecture, Mark Jacques from Openwork and Tom Kleinitz from Lendlease – into the studio to talk about the design process and key learnings so far. The landmark $1.7B mixed-use precinct transforms the southern edge of the Queen Victoria Market and includes three climate-resilient buildings (two residential and one student accommodation) that pursue ambitious sustainability objectives. 

Delivered with the City of Melbourne, Lendlease and Scape, the project will introduce over 2,200 build to rent apartments and student accommodation beds, a 1.8-hectare public park, with more than 130 affordable homes for key workers. The project also involves the heritage restoration of the Franklin Street stores. The design team includes Kerstin Thompson Architects, Searle x Waldron Architecture, Lovell Chen and Urbis. 

Gurrowa is a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung word meaning a place for exchange. The name of the new precinct emerged from engagement with Wurundjeri knowledge holders. JCB’s design process, led by Sarah Lynn Rees, was inspired by a powerful owl named Olivia.