The Arden Precinct presents a landmark urban renewal opportunity in an accessible and vibrant part of central Melbourne.
Two minutes by train from the hospitals, universities, and research institutes at Parkville Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, and two stops from Melbourne CBD, Arden Precinct is well positioned as a future innovation and collaboration hub, with quality and affordable housing to support diverse residents and key workers.
In June 2024, Development Victoria, on behalf of the Victorian Government invited bidders to participate in an Expression of Interest (EOI) to develop the Victorian Government’s landholding in the Arden Precinct, known as Arden Central.
The Arden Vision (2018) and Victorian Housing Statement (2024-2034) propose a future for the Arden Precinct characterised by a vibrant mix of uses with quality jobs and at least 10 percent affordable housing on government-owned land.
The EOI was the first step in a multi-staged tender process to select a suitable development partner that shares our vision for Arden Central. The EOI presented an opportunity for interested parties to outline their capability and experience, their proposed general approach to delivery, and to demonstrate their understanding of the vision for Arden.
Following the EOI process, the Victorian Government has now evaluated submissions and selected a short-list of bidders to proceed to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage for Arden Central.
The RFP documents have now been released to the shortlisted bidders to select a development partner for the government landholdings around the new Arden Metro Station.
The shortlisted bidders are:
- Gurner together with Women’s Housing Limited and SOM
- Hamton Group and Hostplus together with Icon, Symal, Woods Bagot, Populous and Nelson + Koo
- Lendlease Development and Assemble together with NH Architecture and Prior + Partners.
The RFP will request bidders to submit their proposed masterplan design, staging strategy, development program, and financial offer. All bids will be thoroughly evaluated by Government before any final decisions are made.
Each of the bidders brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to delivering quality mixed-use development that will contribute to the vision for the Arden Precinct.
The development of Arden Central is expected to create thousands of jobs, deliver new homes, enhance local infrastructure, and drive urban renewal.
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