Victorian developments shine at national property awards
The refurbishment of the former Caulfield Rifle Range and the Caribbean Park business park have both been honoured at the 2018 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards.
VicTrack was presented with the Hill PDA Award for Government Leadership for its visionary redevelopment of the Bang Bang Rifle Club at 294 Glenhuntly Road in Elsternwick.
“The former rifle range building, which had laid vacant for 15 years, presented a range of development challenges – including legacy contamination and heritage protections,” says the Property Council’s Chief Executive, Ken Morrison.
Working with the Glen Eira City Council, VicTrack integrated the restored building into the bustling Elsternwick Station plaza, creating an expansive space that makes the most of adjacent parkland.
Bang Bang at the Rifle Club, is now a popular Indochine-inspired café and bar activating a key portion of the Glenhuntly Road shopping strip.
“By collaborating with the private sector and local government, VicTrack has transformed an underused heritage asset into a high-quality retail offering with broader community benefits,” Mr Morrison says.
Meanwhile, Caribbean Park, owned by the Caribbean Group, took home the LJ Hooker Commercial Award for Best Business or Industrial Park.
Caribbean Park, in Melbourne’s southeast, encompasses industrial, logistics and commercial spaces overlooking a 15-hectare lake. Caribbean Group has held the land since 1942 and was presented with the award for developments completed in the past two years.
“The open spaces and water vistas overlooking Lake Caribbean create a unique setting for business,” says RLB’s Managing Director NSW, Matthew Harris.
Under a comprehensive masterplan, 40 three-to-five storey office towers are in the pipeline, which will ultimately provide more than 230,000 sqm of office space and transform Caribbean Park into a mini city.
“Incorporating a fresh produce market, Wi-Fi enabled parkland and transport connectivity, the latest phase of Caribbean Park is innovative, adaptable and sustainable,” Mr Harris adds.
RLB has partnered with the Property Council of Australia to present the Innovation & Excellence Awards program since its inception in 1982.
The 2018 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Award winners were announced on Friday 11 May at a gala dinner at the International Convention Centre Sydney. A full list of winners is available online: www.propertycouncilawards.com.au
Media enquiries and images: Karen Jamal | P 0412 179 135 | E [email protected]