Melbourne welcomes start of tallest timber building with traditional ceremony

Uncle Ringo Terrick of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation has performed a Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony to mark the start of works on Melbourne’s tallest timber building, a 15-level project in Collingwood.

The inspiration of international real estate leader Hines, 36 Wellington Street incorporates updated designs to meet the demands and needs of the market post-COVID. Hines recognizes the needs of contemporary, technology-rich workers are shifting the way we think about workplace design. 

They have connected with designers to explore these shifts and respond to growing cultural demand for local authenticity, sustainability, and urban and social connectivity. 

Designed by Jackson Clement Burrows and fabricated from locally sourced Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH), 36 Wellington Street is targeting best-in-class sustainability objectives, including 6-Star Greenstar, 5.5 NABERS and Climate Active Carbon Neutral operations.

“This is Hines’ first development in Australia and the design team and Icon have embraced the complexities and challenges to start the delivery of a groundbreaking mass timber commercial building,” said Jo Lees, Hines local Construction Manager.

Hines appointed Icon to undertake construction based on their previous mass timber experience on Bendigo GovHub and 55 Southbank Boulevard. Icon has completed the demolition of the existing structures and commenced piling and bulk earthworks. Construction is on-track to complete in the third quarter of 2023.

“36 Wellington Street reflects our global T3 strategy for prefabricated mass wood construction – Timber Transit & Technology – a unique and highly successful program for buildings around the world,” said Simon Nasa, Director, Hines Melbourne. “We are using the latest innovation in timber construction methodology and leveraging our global experience and leadership in development and sustainability.”