Australian Road Research Board’s former Burwood Highway building sits abandoned
It was once home to the boffins of the Australian Road Research Board. But in the three years since the board sold up and left town, its former headquarters has become a magnet for graffiti artists while also acting a little bit like a time capsule.
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One of the largest vacant blocks in Whitehorse has been attacked by graffiti artists but, amazingly, the interior remains as it was when the last person to leave turned off the lights.
The Australian Road Research Board left its former Vermont South headquarters more than three years AGO, with the 25,830sq m property sold off in May 2017 for more than $28 million.
The buyers though have decided to move on, and the 490-500 Burwood Highway site is on the market.
When Whitehorse Leader visited the property on Wednesday morning there was evidence of trespassing and littering in the carpark and at the back of the block.
The site has been fenced off with padlocked gates across the driveway but vandals have found their way in via an open gate just a few metres down the road.
Trash is strewn everywhere, with graffiti scrawled across the once grand front entrance to the multistorey building.
Internet cables randomly adorn the front step, with a fuse box left open at the now unpowered block.
The front door remains securely locked, while a side door is propped open with a brick in another apparent contradiction on the measures made to keep the area secure.
However, furniture remains in place, chairs unmoved since the board’s staff left the building.
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Whitehorse Council’s city development manager Jeff Green said talks had been held about the site’s future.
“Discussions have occurred regarding rezoning the land, which is currently zoned for public use (but) a planning scheme amendment process is yet to commence,” he said.
The ARRB and CBRE were contacted for comment.