MAB unveils new public park and its vision for the completion of NewQuay
After more than 20 years transforming the northern banks of Victoria Harbour into an integrated, vibrant and diverse waterfront suburb, developer MAB has unveiled its vision for the completion of the 14-hectare site.
Recently approved by the State Government, the final stages of development are foreshadowed in the NewQuay West Masterplan. The plan proposes a 4000 square metre linear park that will provide a “green link”, between the newly opened NewQuay Central Park and the Ron Barassi Snr sports reserve at the western extremity of NewQuay. New development flanking these public spaces include five residential buildings and waterfront development land.
It comes as MAB officially launched the 4600 square metre NewQuay Central Park this week, the largest park to be completed in the City of Melbourne since Ron Barassi Snr Park was completed in 2015.
Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp said “Open spaces are the hearts and lungs of a city and vital to making Melbourne such a great place to live”.
“We’re delighted this fantastic park is now open for everyone to enjoy, offering a new community space and greater green links through our city for residents and visitors”.
NewQuay Central Park
NewQuay Central Park is located opposite District Docklands, and links the waterfront at NewQuay Promenade to the burgeoning shopping centre. The District recently opened a new entertainment precinct as it undergoes expansion.
MAB General Manager – Residential, David Allt-Graham, said the delivery of public infrastructure was part of a bigger vision to deliver a considered, diverse and integrated neighbourhood, rated by Walkscore.com as one of the most walkable suburbs in Melbourne.
“NewQuay Central Park sits at the heart of NewQuay as a convenient and restful public space akin to the State Library forecourt on Swanston Street. It is fantastic to see residents and shoppers embracing it.,” he said.
“Parkland is an essential part of our vision for NewQuay – it plays an important role in connecting the community as well as the sustainability and livability benefits. It contributes to NewQuay’s identity as a relaxed city suburb.”
MAB’s masterplan for the western precinct of NewQuay contemplates a further 1200 apartments across five buildings, in addition to the planned Linear Park. In 2016 the Estimated Resident Population of Docklands was 11,900. As investment in Docklands continues, the population is expected to grow to around 18,500 people by 2031 (Urbis Market Outlook, October 2018).
It will cap off the almost 30-year development project, which has led the transformation of Docklands from an industrial port to a waterfront extension of the city grid, delivering essential residential, commercial and public infrastructure for the growth of Melbourne.
New development at NewQuay is set to continue at a rapid pace. The next three years will welcome the completion of a new supermarket, a State Government primary school, Quest and Marriott hotels and new commercial offices in MAB’s innovative Escala project.
Mr. Allt-Graham said the future residential buildings would continue MAB’s bold architectural vision, which has added distinctive buildings to the skyline of Melbourne in recent years including the leaning profile of the Marina Tower and the intricately detailed Banksia apartments. These projects have been brought to life through collaborations with celebrated Melbourne architects including Plus Architecture, DKO, Woods Bagot, McBride Charles Ryan and most recently, Six Degrees Architects.
MAB Managing Director Andrew Buxton said from the outset the team had sought to bring originality and excellence to Docklands through artistic and creative design, architecture, art and master-planning.
“MAB’s vision for NewQuay has always been to create a vibrant and creative city for Melburnians to live, work and play. The West Masterplan is the final piece in a carefully considered masterplan that will deliver a vibrant and connected suburb to our city”. said Mr. Buxton.
MAB is one of Dockland’s key developers, to date having delivered 13 apartment towers, office towers, four parks, an 80-berth marina and The Sebel hotel, Quest Hotel, as well as the waterfront dining precinct on NewQuay Promenade.