New look for Marvel Stadium as part of vision to give Harbour Esplanade a major facelift

A joint venture to be announced by the AFL and the state government is aimed at “unlocking a major opportunity in Docklands”. See the designs.

Harbour Esplanade is set for a major facelift. Picture: Grimshaw Architects

Marvel Stadium and AFL House at Docklands could get a whole new look as part of a joint venture to be announced by the league and the state government.

Channel 7’s headquarters could also go under the vision to give Harbour Esplanade a major facelift.

The government is set to announce that it is exploring “redevelopment opportunities” for the two large waterfront sites – AFL House and Channel 7 – with options for housing, offices, shops and entertainment.

The joint venture partnership is still in the initial phases, so no cost or time frame has been set for any redevelopment.

How Docklands and Marvel Stadium looks today. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

How it could look in the future as part for a major new development. Picture: Grimshaw Architects

But the government has commissioned renders from Grimshaw Architects of a possible new look including two high-rise towers and a new waterfront facade for the stadium.

Under the bold vision Marvel would virtually be unseen from the harbourside.

Acting Minister for Development Victoria Natalie Hutchins said the joint venture would unlock a major opportunity in Docklands for housing, commercial and entertainment for the sporting precinct.

The deal is separate to the $225m revamp for Marvel, announced four years ago by the state government.

Under the bold vision Marvel would virtually be unseen from the harbourside. Picture: Grimshaw Architects

Matt Chun, the AFL executive General Manager of Finance, Clubs and Infrastructure, said the league was committed to delivering a “memorable experience for fans and visitors to the precinct”.

“We are excited by the opportunities this agreement presents at the site,” Mr Chun said.

The joint venture is formally a deal between Development Victoria, the government’s property and development arm, and the AFL.

Development Victoria bought the leasehold to 160 Harbour Esplanade, now occupied by Channel 7, in 2018.

The three-year redevelopment of the AFL-owned venue included new restaurants and bars.

Footy fans will see more of the changes this season with attractions such as Stadium Square – a grand main entrance which can be transformed into community markets or even a live site with super screen for fans to watch events such as the Superbowl.

Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said: “We invested $225 million to fund the redevelopment of Marvel Stadium so that we can continue to attract

sporting and entertainment events to Melbourne and ensure Victoria remains the major events capital of Australia.”

American pop star Pink will play four shows at Marvel before the first footy match for 2024 at the new-look stadium – North Melbourne versus Fremantle on March 23.

The 52,000-seat Docklands venue first opened in March 2000 then as Colonial Stadium at a construction cost of $460m.

Two years later it became the Telstra Dome and in 2009 the Etihad Stadium.

The Marvel Stadium renaming began in September 2018.