DEMOLITION works are now underway at the iconic Jam Factory to make room for Gurner and Qualitas’ $2.75 billion redevelopment of the site.
Demolition works will include all non-heritage components across the 20,000sqm Chapel Street site, which was first constructed in 1858 as a brewery and then as a jam manufacturer. More recently the Jam Factory was a popular retail and cinema precinct.
Joint venture partners Gurner and Qualitas have owned a 35% stake in the property since 2021, before buying out the remaining 65% interest at the end of June from Newmark Capital.
“Commencing construction on the site is not just a significant milestone for GURNERTM Group, it’s a huge step forward for the reinvigoration of the entire Chapel Street precinct. Our aspirations are to spearhead a new coming of age for the precinct so we have made sure to design a destination that can bring together world class events, activations and brands to the site and celebrate this special part of Melbourne,” said founder at chairman at Gurner Group.
Our brand and business is focussed on these large-scale projects; where we are typically competing against the public companies, are we are able to bring speed, flexibility and a high amount of innovation and creating thinking to these special sites.”
The redeveloped precinct will comprise 600 luxury residences across five towers, with 10,000sqm of commercial office space, 20,000sqm of retail and hospitality, a new World Class Village Cinema + Gold Class complex and two hotels.
“Our vision for the Jam Factory is to create a renewed world class cultural icon, and a destination for all of Melbourne that brings people together for dining, entertainment, culture and experiences,” added Gurner.
“We are humbled to be able to start construction and feel honoured to be the custodians of this special site. To be able to bring Jam Factory back to life with our friends at Village is incredibly exciting and we will be building them what we know will be the world’s best movie precinct.”
The residential component will include more than 7,000sqm of amenity with large entry lobbies, libraries, games facilities and conservatory-like entertaining areas.
With Chapel Street to benefit from a new 2,500sqm north-facing public piazza called Village Square.
Gurner has appointed international, award-winning architects SOM alongside local architects, Buchan to design the precinct with in-house architect and interior design business GURNER DESIGN HOUSE.
While landscaping, which will emulate the grounds of Toorak mansions, will be delivered by Townsend.
