For a development to be successful, a number of key ingredients are required. Proximity to public transport, a diverse range of amenities, public space, and the development of community all combine to bring people in and encourage them to return.
These ingredients create a sense of place, an important feature in all Equiset developments. Equiset, in partnership with VicUrban, Victoria's sustainable urban development authority, is involved in developing two prime strategic sites within the Batman's Hill precinct of Melbourne's Docklands.
The new headquarters of National Foods at 737 Bourke Street and the refurbishment of the historic Goods Shed North contribute 30,000m² of commercial office and retail space to the area. To help develop a sense of place, Equiset plans to link these buildings through the creation of Village Street, which will be the first alfresco dining street in Docklands. Commencing at Bourke Street, the bluestone-paved street will cover 150m, and include taverns, cafes and restaurants, with the heritage Goods Shed to the east and the contemporary National Foods building to the west.
The 10,000m² historic Goods Shed, to be occupied by VicUrban, the Building Commission and the Plumbing Industry Commission, is planned to be completed by late 2009. As well as office space, the two-level building will include retail space, large, modern workspaces, a vast central galleria under a 12m ceiling, and more intimate, semi-private bays around the side walls.
In contrast, Equiset is also developing a contemporary office building at 737 Bourke Street, which will be the headquarters of National Foods. With a Bourke Street frontage and within walking distance of the CBD and major transport hubs, occupants of this building also have easy access to Docklands' amenities the extensive parklands, water frontages, restaurants, sports facilities and car parking.