Docklands set for transformation as ‘urban village’ concept proposed for redevelopment of The District precinct at NewQuay

Docklands still gets a bad rap by many Melburnians, but the waterfront suburb is changing rapidly — now there’s a plan to make the area more liveable, with the creation of a new district.

The Docklands is set for a transformation as an ‘urban village’ concept is proposed for the redevelopment of The District precinct at NewQuay.

Docklands is set for a transformation with the continuing makeover of a key precinct, and plans are afoot to enhance Harbour Esplanade.

While the waterfront suburb is still derided by some as windy and soulless, key upgrades in recent years have made it more people-friendly with the promise of more improvements to follow.

Undergoing about $200 million in development is NewQuay’s The District Docklands, previously known as Harbour Town.

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Artist impression of The District Docklands redevelopment.

Owner Ashe Morgan has been turning the former outlet-style shopping centre, near the Melbourne Observation Wheel, into an “urban village” with a vision for an integrated retail, entertainment and leisure precinct.

Opened this week was a Hoyts state-of-the-art cinema complex in a new entertainment zone that includes Archie Brothers’ Cirque Electriq and Urban Alley Brewery.

Also coming to the precinct in 2019 is global fashion brand UNIQLO, and fresh food market Market Lane that will feature a major Woolworths supermarket, a Dan Murphy’s outlet, large-scale Asian grocer and Priceline.

Construction on an office tower and a Marriot hotel will start early next year.

Artist impression of fresh food market in The District Docklands redevelopment.

The District Docklands CEO George Karabatsos said that the precinct’s key road and transport access, such as proximity to CityLink and free trams, gave it an enormous advantage.

“We want to be the gateway to the city from the west, and we also want to be the soul of the city,” he said.

“All of the basic building blocks are already here, the in-and-out, the streets, the ‘scape, the access — we have to make sure that the authenticy of that is maintained.”

“We’re an urban village, not a shopping centre.”

Mr Karabatsos said the separately-owned observation wheel was doing well, and would benefit from its integration with The District.

“The fact that we’ve developed an entertainment lifestyle precinct around it will broaden its appeal to both tourists and locals,” he said.

Also being better integrated with the revitalised precinct is the O’Brien Group Arena ice skating rink.

Artist impression of The District Docklands redevelopment.

Mr Karabatsos said the aim was to meet the needs of Docklands residents, workers and visitors while also being a community hub with events like Christmas carols.

“We want to be their dining room, we want to be their pantry, we want to be their loungeroom where they meet a friend, or catch up with work mates,” he said.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said that Docklands was maturing after several years of planning, including provision of open space.

“It hasn’t been without some angst over the years in terms of how do we bring together those elements so that we do have a neighbourhood that’s distinctive and gels and is still connected to the City of Melbourne,” she said.

Cr Capp said planning for the next stage of Harbour Esplanade was proceeding in co-operation with state government agencies, and an eye on the AFL’s plans for redeveloping the Marvel Stadium precinct.

“More of what we’re trying to do is open the city up the water,” she said.

@JMasanauskas