Urbis was engaged by Cbus Property to negotiate the complex approval process for this landmark project. Collins Arch, the $1.25 billion development at 447 Collins Street will be one of Melbourne’s largest single development projects and will see the creation of a new central city park around two 41-storey skyscrapers, connected by a sky bridge.

This iconic, city-shaping project will transform this precinct, occupying a city block bounded by Collins, William, Market Streets and Flinders Lane. Designed by Woods Bagot (Australia) and SHoP Architects (USA), the towers are elegantly connected via a bridge at their highest point. 

In submissions to the City of Melbourne and Victorian Government, our team stated that:

“The bridge link will result in a spectacular architectural form that will be uniquely Melbourne and will set this proposal apart from other contemporary architectural responses in this city. The unique form is separated from the lower tower elements through variations in glazing type, punctuation of balconies to provide texture and the use of balustrades running vertically in line with the tower separation. The upper portion of the bridge link will also incorporate the textured chevron design to further add visual interest and break down the mass and scale that might otherwise be experienced.”

The towers will include retail, office space, a five-star, 294-room hotel and 202 luxury apartments. The public park will be owned and maintained by the City of Melbourne and will include a tree grove leading to a promenade and amphitheatre space. The Collins Arch towers will connect the city’s main business boulevard to the Yarra River. 

The bridge link will result in a spectacular architectural form that will be uniquely Melbourne and will set this proposal apart from other contemporary architectural responses in this city.