Height
National Australia Bank: 800 Bourke Street, Victoria Harbour. Docklands
One of the first commercial buildings completed in the Docklands precinct, construction of the headquarters for the National Australia Bank commenced in 2002 and the new building was opened in October 2004.1 The complex was widely attributed to popularising the “campus style” office building in Australia that became common in Docklands and other new developments. Designed by Bligh Voller Nield, it became a new global headquarters for the Australian Big Four bank in 2009. The building was a leader in sustainable architecture at the time, making the most of its north facing aspect with a four star energy rating, becoming the first awarded by the Green Building Council of Aurstralia.2
Posted in City of Melbourne, Docklands 3008, Mid-rise (5-13 storeys) | 
Tags: 19 storey, 2000s, 2004, 21st century, 4 star green rating, bank, bligh voller nield, bourke street docklands, bvn, campus style, docklands, james grose, modern, modern architecture, nab, national australia bank, office building | 
No Comments »
Commonwealth Offices. 4 Treasury Place, East Melbourne
At the turn of the century, Melbourne served for a period as the national capital until a permanent capital was created in Canberra.
Offices were required for federal government and the Treasury Reserve, having been established in the 1850s for the purpose of consolidating Melbourne’s government administration functions was the ideal choice. The building was once the office of the Prime Minister, Post-Master General and Federal Treasurer and Governor-General and though these offices and most other federal government functions are now based in Canberra it continues to be used by the federal government.
Posted in City of Melbourne, East Melbourne 3002, Low-rise (1-5 storeys) | Tags: 1910s, 1912, 1914, 20th century, baroque, beaux arts, commonwealth, east melbourne, edwardian, federal government, government, john smith murdoch, keystone, office building, palazzo, piano nobile, treasury place, treasury place east melbourne, treasury reserve | No Comments »
Grand Hyatt. 123 Collins Street, Melbourne
The Grand Hyatt is a 547 room, 5 star hotel on Collins Street. With a curtain wall of golden tinted glass shaped in a giant L-shaped curve, it has an imposing, if now built out, presence on the “Paris End” of Collins. Faceted vertical bays of glass break up the main exposed concrete mass and add to a shimmering effect.
Medibank House: 700 Collins Street, Docklands
Construction on Medibank House began in September 2002 and the 13 level modernist Docklands tower was completed in July 2004 with major tenant Medibank Private securing naming rights and the other major tenant being the Bureau of Meteorology.
The architects were Bligh Voller Nield working in conjunction with Peddle Thorp Walker. Construction companies Folkestone and Leighton Properties collaborated on the project which was valued at $78 million.1
Ansett House: 501 Swanston Street, Melbourne
This 18 storey brown octagonal plan modern building, originally built by defunct airline Ansett in was completed in 1975.
Following Ansett going into administration it was placed on the market in 2002 1 and eventually purchased by PDG Corporation after which an extensive $19.2 million refurbishment was undertaken in 2004 by L. U. Simon builders.2
Originally one of two towers, the smaller of which, constructed in 1961 was demolished in 2003 and replaced by a residential tower.
Posted in City of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Skyscraper (13+ storeys) | Tags: 18 storey, 1970s, 1975, 20th century, ansett, brown, modern, swanston street | No Comments »
National Australia Bank: 800 Bourke Street, Victoria Harbour. Docklands