Bourke Street’s Job Warehouse building to get luxe makeover, turned into Parisian-style salon
A CBD “eyesore” and one of the city’s oldest surviving retail premises will be turned into a Parisian-style salon creating hundreds of jobs under plans before Melbourne City Council.
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A CBD “eyesore” will be turned into a Parisian-style salon creating hundreds of jobs under plans before Melbourne City Council
Entertainment and hospitality outfit the O’Brien Group proposes to convert the rundown Job Warehouse building near the top of Bourke St into a series of “fine boutique bespoke dining and artistic spaces”.
Built in the 1840s, the pre-Gold Rush strip of shops is the city’s oldest surviving retail premises.
O’Brien Group has resubmitted a permit application after considering issues raised by the council, Victoria Police and some residents.
Group CEO Michael Xavier O’Brien said in a submission that Job Warehouse had great historical significance, but was regarded as “one of Melbourne’s most prominent eyesores and embarrassments”.
“Our restoration will enhance the amenity of the site and the surrounding areas to a stylish and sophisticated precinct that all Melburnians will be justifiably proud of,” he said.
“My vision is to build a series of smaller fine boutique bespoke dining and artistic spaces
within one business that are timeless, and will be loved and enjoyed by future generations.”
The project will include renovation of adjoining sites at 11-19 Liverpool St and 10-26 Crossley St.
It will feature two “Venetian Courtyards” designed by noted landscaper Paul Bangay, and is expected to create 500 construction jobs and more than 350 hospitality jobs when it opens.
“We will build a place that transcends a hospitality venue — a true site of cultural
exchange, like the great salons of 19th century Paris,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The development sends a clear message of positivity to the community and makes a
statement that the Melbourne CBD is open for business and that the city will bounce back
during these difficult times.”
O’Brien Group, whose venues include AAMI Park and O’Brien Group Arena in Docklands, has support for the project from the nearby Salvation Army Project 614 centre.
Owned by the Zeimer family, Job Warehouse’s current tenant is The Paperback bookshop, which will not be affected by the redevelopment.
Originally a butcher’s shop and residence, in the late 1850s it was home to famous landscape artist Eugene von Guerard.
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Originally published as Bourke Street’s Job Warehouse building to get luxe makeover, turned into Parisian-style salon