85 Spring Street Melbourne, Golden Age Group Project, Australian Tower Property

85 Spring Street Melbourne

Golden Age Group Development in Victoria, Australia – design by Bates Smart Architects

17 Jun 2018

85 Spring Street Melbourne Building

Design: Bates Smart Architects

Location: 85 Spring St, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Bates Smart unveils design for 39-storey geometrically stacked tower in Melbourne

Australian architecture firm Bates Smart have unveiled designs for a 39-storey stacked concrete tower for developer Golden Age Group on one of the last developable sites on Melbourne’s Spring Street.

Photos below © Bates Smart

Spring Street is one of Melbourne’s most exceptional destinations, located opposite Treasury Gardens and home to some of the city’s most significant historical buildings including Parliament House, the Treasury Building and the Windsor Hotel.

This context inspired the strong and enduring sculptural form of 85 Spring Street. Golden Age Group has also purchased air rights above neighbouring buildings, to offer unblocked views.

Photos below : Gabriel Saunders

The building draws inspiration from the historic context of the location and the German philosophy of Gesamtkunstwerk; where all aspects of the design come together to form a complete work of art.

The bold use of bespoke concrete provides a clear architectural expression and references the stonework of the nearby historic buildings. Each frame is shaped in such a way comparable to a bespoke crafted piece of furniture or joinery. Bates Smart collaborated with Melbourne based photographer Lauren Bamford to develop the materials.

The geometry of the façade wraps around the apartment balconies, and extends inside, creating a unified language between the exterior and interior and framing the impressive views over Parliament House and the Treasury Gardens.

Apartment interior photos below : Sean Fennessy

The tower’s podium, consisting of articulated sculptural forms is further emphasised by the building’s 15-metre cantilever over the Spring Street entrance forecourt which creates the impression the building is floating above.

Craftsmanship is a central concept for the design of the 138 apartments. A neutral palette emphasises the material selection, which includes wide-format Scandinavian floorboards, carefully selected Nordic marbles and bespoke signature metals. Distinctive features include a cantilevered stone island bench, which echoes the architectural expression of the building’s geometry, and is accompanied by custom designed tapware and lighting.

The development connects with Melbourne’s arts community and includes a number of artistic collaborations, most notably a commission for a bespoke lobby installation by internationally acclaimed photographer Bill Henson.

Kristen Whittle, Director architecture, Bates Smart “85 Spring Street is a strong, sculptural and place-defining building. The location and Spring Street’s historical significance has inspired a project of enduring value. The building is an architectural portrait of Melbourne.”

Jeffrey Copolov, Director interior design, Bates Smart “Spring Street represents the very character of Melbourne life. A street defined by heritage gardens, grand history, stately architecture, enigmatic culinary icons and a world-renowned art scene. 85 Spring Street, poised at the epicentre of this famed story is the first and last of its kind. A remarkable creative collaboration between Bates Smart and Golden Age Group, 85 Spring is a modern masterpiece, a meticulously crafted building befitting the significance of this grand old Melbourne address.”

Jeff Xu, Managing Director, Golden Age Group “85 Spring Street is a project that is of both cultural and contemporary significance and consideration has been given to ensure the design reflects the location. The project has been developed with a conscious responsibility to help shape Melbourne’s urban landscape and those who live within it.”

85 Spring Street is expected to complete in 2020.

85 Spring Street – Team

About Bates Smart

Founded in 1853, Bates Smart possess a strong legacy in designing innovative architecture. In the 1950s, Bates Smart designed the tallest commercial towers across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. These lightweight structures were cutting-edge projects, leading the way for Modernism in Australia. A number of buildings remain today, including Orica House, home to Bates Smart’s Melbourne studio.

Today Bates Smart is a multidisciplinary design firm delivering architecture, interior design and urban design across Australia, with a staff of over 300 in studios in Melbourne and Sydney. Bates Smart’s award-winning projects transform the city fabric and the way people use and inhabit urban spaces and built environments. Bates Smart’s founders were the innovators of their time, and the practice now leads the debate on how and where we work, meet, live and learn.

About Golden Age Group

Golden Age Group was founded by Jeff Xu in 2006 and is now a nationally recognised name in the property development industry. In just a decade the company has ignited extraordinary growth, developing its capital arm and expanding its investments portfolio of hotels, restaurants, agriculture and international trade. In 2017, comprised of commercial and residential, Golden Age Group’s diverse development portfolio has an estimated value of $4.2 billion.

Continuously striving to achieve greater success and push boundaries, Golden Age Group has developed Melbourne’s tallest residential building in Melbourne CBD, Victoria One, the world’s fourth slimmest building, Collins House, the sophisticated boutique Sydney development – Essence Double Bay, Sydney’s The Harrington Collection located in The Rocks and Waterloo’s premier project, No. 1 Lachlan, to name a few. Golden Age Group’s mantra See. Think. Act drives its commitment to quality, collaboration and forward-thinking. This, in addition to an intimate understanding of both the Australian and Asian markets, has seen the company flourish and prosper to achieve a golden future.

About 85 Spring Street

Designed for the owner-occupier in mind, the apartments will offer ample living space with three-bedroom apartment sizes ranging from 162 – 274sqm and featuring balconies or terraces ranging from 8sqm – 240sqm.
Exclusive amenities for residents include concierge services, private dining room, wine cellar, lounge, gym, steam room and pool.
The intricate craftmanship of the project can currently be seen at the display suite located at 85 Spring Street, Melbourne.

85 Spring Street Melbourne images / information received 150618

Bates Smart Architects

Location: Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia