The Munro development is expected to deliver an estimated $70 million public benefit to the growing city north precinct, in one of Australia’s most sustainable mixed use developments.
Hospitality venues
Seven hospitality venues will open in 2022 and 2023 for the first stage of the ground-level tenancies within the Munro development. The high-calibre food and drink venues will complement and enhance the market’s gourmet offerings and give visitors even more reasons to shop, dine and dwell in the precinct.
Some of the new operators include one of Australia’s largest independent craft brewers, two specialty coffee roasters and a popular sushi outlet. The venues will be open day and night, seven days a week and will help deliver on our vision to create an active market precinct across the week and into the evening. Read the media release for the full details.
Affordable housing
In December 2021, the Munro development waved hello to residents from near and far, filling spots in 48 affordable apartments that are owned and operated by Housing Choices Australia.
An additional six apartments were also handed over to the Transport Accident Commission for clients with special needs.
These affordable apartments have provided many with a safe and secure place to call home – making strides in the City of Melbourne's Affordable Housing Strategy for 2020–2030.
Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation
In June 2022, the Melbourne City Council entered into a lease with the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation of level 4 at the Munro Community Hub, for a term of 10 years at a commencing rental of $262,300 per annum.
The Foundation will deliver a For Purpose Impact Accelerator Hub from the premises, where the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and key not-for-profit organisations can collaborate for more impact, emerging organisations can be incubated and knowledge and ideas can be shared to accelerate their work. The Foundation will carry out a $1.5M fitout of the premises to reflect a vibrant, contemporary space demonstrating design excellence and incorporating an environmentally sustainable design.
Public artwork
The City of Melbourne commissioned local artist Rose Nolan to create a striking artwork for the exterior of the new community hub at the Munro development.
The words ‘Now’, ‘More’, ‘Enough’ and ‘So’ are featured in bold red and white on the exterior screens of the community hub facade on Queen and Therry streets, adding both visual interest and to control solar heat gain (and loss) a requirement for building’s Green Star rating.
The work was designed as a verbal-visual puzzle using a series of connected floating words that land gently to integrate with the architecture, creating an engaging experience for visitors to the market precinct.
Therry Street streetscape upgrade
The streetscape upgrade of Therry Street was complete in July 2023. Complementing the new Munro development and as a key gateway into the market, the upgrade has improved safety and created a pedestrian friendly street with wider footpaths, more greenery, lighting, shade and dining spaces for customers to stop and enjoy the market atmosphere.
(Timelapse of a site build)
We’re building the city’s largest new community hub at the Munro site, opposite the Queen Victoria Market.
We’re on track to open the market car park in 2021 and the community hub in 2022. (Artist impression of future site).
Find out more at melbourne.vic.gov.au
City of Melbourne logo
In July 2017, the Victorian Government announced the approval of new planning controlsOpens in new tab for the Queen Victoria Market precinct, to preserve and protect the market. The planning controls include mandatory height control of 125 metres on the Munro site.
A revised development application was prepared by the applicant, PDG Corporation, with the support of Melbourne City Council as the land owner. The revised application was submitted to the Minister for Planning as the Responsible Authority in late 2017. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, acting on behalf of the Minister for Planning, referred the application to Council as a recommending referral authority. Council considered the application at the Future Melbourne Committee meeting on 3 April 2018 and resolved to advise DELWP that it supports the application for the Munro development, subject to conditions. The application was approved by the Responsible Authority on 9 May 2018.
View the plans:
