Construction work has begun on Mirvac's vision for a new retail precinct to transform Riverside Quay’s ground plane.
Fronting the Southbank promenade between the Crown entertainment complex and Southgate shopping centre, the new precinct will include a new dining and retail destination which will extend the city’s iconic laneways from the heart of the CBD, south of the river.
The Australian Financial Review reported that the new $20 million retail development will be the latest addition to the cluster of the four buildings Mirvac holds in the riverside precinct.
Mirvac Development Director Frank Lonetti believes the new-look precinct, characterised by welcoming spaces for casual dining and recreation, will attract new food and beverage retailers to Southbank and the assortment of eclectic outlets amid the laneways will create an authentic Melburnian experience for the area’s workforce, residents and tourists who visit the area daily.
“Melbourne is known as the food and drink capital of Australia and our aim is to further enhance this reputation by adding yet another ‘must visit’ destination to Melbourne’s already extensive array of culinary hotspots," he said.
The new precinct at Riverside Quay will offer a number of alfresco dining options in its laneways, bespoke common areas and a public square which will invite patrons to experience the local culture and the location's river views beyond the nine-to-five.
Mirvac has appointed Six Degrees Architects to the project. Their vision is to start the Riverside Quay precinct's retail component with ten new tenancies in the laneways in order to provide a vibrant food and beverage hub that will improve pedestrian linkages and celebrate the rich history of the site according to the Australian Financial Review.
According to Mirvac General Manager of Leasing Joe Antonios, Riverside Quay will offer retailers an exciting opportunity to be part of a new premium dining precinct, "catering for a dynamic catchment of office workers, residents and tourists looking for a fresh new mix of healthy high quality offers for both weekday solutions and after work venues for dinner and socialising."It is expected that construction will be complete by mid 2017.
