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Hamton and Hostplus have been appointed to deliver Arden Central, a $7 billion neighbourhood 1.5 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, following a competitive tender overseen by Development Victoria, on behalf of the Victorian Government.
The precinct will deliver more than 5,400 homes for over 10,000 residents alongside 5.5 hectares of open space, with the first residential building expected by 2032 and the full vision delivered progressively over 25 years.
Stage One will target the delivery of approximately 1,700 homes and 45% of the overall precinct area, including key amenities and public spaces that will help shape the new community.
The precinct represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the city’s iconic network of cultural and parkland precincts, made possible by the Victorian Government’s investment in Arden Station.
Hamton and Hostplus will introduce Live Nation, Melbourne Victory Football Club and the University of Melbourne as precinct Partners, helping to establish Arden Central as a destination for sport, entertainment and education and building on North Melbourne Football Club's 150-year presence in this location.
Live Nation president of Australia & New Zealand, Alex Klos, said Melbourne is already a live music and entertainment hub.
"Melbourne is one of the world’s great live music cities, and continued investment in venues is essential to maintaining that position," Alex said.
"This purpose-built venue will fill an important gap in the market, while helping establish Arden Central as a vibrant new destination for live entertainment.”
Hamton founder and executive chairman, Paul Hameister, said Arden Central will have many elements within the precinct.
“Our ambition for Arden Central is to create something internationally remarkable - a place that blends together culture, entertainment, sport and nature in a way that stands alongside the best precincts in the world.”
Designed to support a thriving new neighbourhood, Arden Central will feature a world-class live music venue, a full-line Coles supermarket, gym, childcare, commercial space, and a landmark retail and hospitality precinct.
Land identified for a future government primary school within Arden Central will complement the planned new government secondary school in Arden.
“Arden Central is designed to bring a different kind of city life to Melbourne, one where the neighbourhood feels more like a campus, walking is the natural way to move around and nature is woven into everyday life," said Paul.
“Without the Victorian Government’s investment in Arden Station, an opportunity of this scale and significance simply would not have been possible.”
The retail and hospitality precinct will be anchored by a full-line Coles supermarket and bring together large and small-format retail and outdoor dining, helping to create a walkable neighbourhood with the amenities residents need close to home.
Melbourne Victory Football Club is set to establish its new Arden Campus, including a hub for women’s and youth female pathway programs, a Community Field and Community Hub which will be shared assets able to cater to future community soccer teams, the university and future schools.
Arden Central will undergo a nature-led regeneration to become a global exemplar of nature-based design excellence, placing sustainability, biodiversity and green space at the heart of the precinct.
"Arden Central brings together many of the characteristics we look for as long-term investors: a strategic location, strong fundamentals and an experienced development partner," said Hostplus CIO, Sam Sicilia.
"This investment builds on our track record of investing in high-quality assets that generate long-term value, while helping to create vibrant places where people want to live, work and connect.”
More than 45% of the site will be dedicated to parks, living landscapes and gardens woven throughout the community.
The precinct will deliver open space, equivalent to around eight football ovals, including eight new parks, community sporting fields and a 7,500sqm park inspired by the historic blue saltwater lake that characterised the region.
Guided by the principles of Designing with Country, Arden Central will be the City of Melbourne’s largest infill parkland and housing precinct designed in partnership with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders and communities from the outset.
World-leading urban realm designer Gehl Studios, has curated the public realm around the principles of connection, activity and wellbeing, bringing together walkability, biodiversity and landscaping to create spaces that support community life.
The University of Melbourne - located just a two-minute train ride from the new Parkville Station, will establish an extension of the Melbourne School of Design (to be known as MSD+) at Arden Central.
“We are delighted to be a Place Partner at Arden Central and to collaborate with Hamton, Hostplus and Nature Based Cities in delivering a shared vision for a more nature-positive urban future," said University of Melbourne interim dean of architecture, building and planning, Alan Pert.
"Through the Melbourne School of Design, Arden Central will serve as a living laboratory for research, education and public engagement, demonstrating how nature-based solutions can transform buildings, precincts and cities while creating tangible benefits for communities, biodiversity and industry.”
Addressing both housing supply and affordability, Arden Central’s first stage will offer up to 10% of its homes to first home buyers.
The development is expected to create more than 1,100 full-time equivalent jobs on-site once complete.
For Hostplus - one of the largest industry super funds in Australia with more than 2 million members, more than 330,000 contributing employers and over $160 billion in funds under management.
Arden Central will aim to achieve 2040 net zero carbon operational energy by being an all-electric precinct.
For more off-the-plan property news, click here.
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