Historic docks crane restored for $450m Seafarers Place project on Yarra’s northbank

A rare piece of Melbourne’s maritime history has been given new life after it was restored for a key development that is set to transform the Yarra River’s northbank.

The historic electric crane restored at Goods Shed No. 5 on Yarra's northbank.

Melbourne’s only surviving electric crane has been restored as part of a northbank redevelopment.

The 1940s crane at the old Goods Shed No.5 on Flinders Wharf will be integrated into the $450 million Seafarers Place project.

The development by Riverlee will comprise a hotel, luxury units, function centre and a park.

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Flinders Wharf, with Goods Shed No. 5 (at bottom left), in the 1920s. .

The heritage-listed crane was built by Malcolm Moore Ltd, and used until 1975 when the berth was made redundant by the closure of the Yarra River below the Charles Grimes Bridge.

It is acknowledged as the most intact cargo berth in the Port of Melbourne from the pre-containerisation era.

The crane was restored in collaboration with Lovell Chen Architects and Heritage Consultants, and maritime contractor Freyssinet.

Riverlee development director David Lee said the company was passionate about urban renewal, and it was important the mixed-use development was sympathetic to the wharf’s industrial past.

An image of the proposed Seafarers Place development by Riverlee.

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“We are excited to bring the rich history of the site back to life as much as possible, and in particular, the restoration of the crane was so important to both Riverlee and the various partners involved,” he said.

The crane has been moved from its original spot at the west end of the goods shed to the east side to make it more accessible to the proposed Seafarers Rest Park.

Construction on the redevelopment is due to start in early 2020.

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