Owner’s of iconic Manchester Unity Building fear Metro Tunnel changes could damage facade

OWNERS of Melbourne’s historic Manchester Unity Building fear its facade and structure will be severely damaged under new plans for the Metro Tunnel.

OWNERS of Melbourne’s iconic Manchester Unity Building fear its historic facade and structure will be severely damaged under new plans for the Metro Tunnel.

In a letter obtained by the Herald Sun, the MUB owner’s corporation committee have warned the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority alterations to the project’s planning amendments may jeopardise the integrity of the building.

There are fears for the Manchester Unity building’s structure and facade.

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Town Hall station will now have a “trinocular design”, made up of three overlapping tunnels, and land under the heritage-listed tower is likely to be acquired for extra support beams.

“(The proposed changes) lack a fundamental understanding of whether the MUB is capable of withstanding the construction works in such proximity to the tunnel excavation, and of potential damage to building and safety of people in the area,” the report reads.

“The facade is vulnerable and likely sensitive to vibration and ground subsidence and the grout between the tiles, which contains asbestos, is prone to failure.

“This conduct leaves us with no confidence that the consortium has at heart the interests of the custodians of one of Melbourne’s most prized heritage assets.”

One of Melbourne’s most recognisable buildings, the MUB has a Gothic-style design made up of terracotta tiles facade that regularly attract tour groups.

A MMRA spokesman said complex projects, such as the Metro Tunnel, would always face a range of engineering challenges.

The boardroom of the Manchester Unity building.

The Manchester Unity Building interior.

“The project has some of the world’s best engineers and tunnelling experts working through these challenges,” the spokesman said.

“Many of the concerns raised are routinely managed on similar tunnel projects in busy cities around the world.”

A State Government spokeswoman said authorities would continue to work with businesses and groups to deliver the project.

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“These are the types of issues that are routinely managed on similar tunnel projects in busy cities around the world,” she said.

It comes after a key contractor building the $11 billion project last month warned construction could cause cracks in two of Melbourne’s most historic buildings.

In fresh planning documents, the Cross Yarra Partnership advised that vibrations from construction could create cracks of up to 5mm in the Melbourne Town Hall, and that “very slight” damage of up to 1mm in St Paul’s Cathedral was also possible.