Shops and hotels project planned to replace 1980s CBD arcade

A $105 million shops and hotels redevelopment has been proposed for The Walk Arcade in Melbourne’s CBD.

A $105 million shops and hotels redevelopment has been proposed for The Walk Arcade between Lt Collins St and the Bourke St Mall in central Melbourne.

The 11-storey Walk Redevelopment project would replace most of the existing eight ageing buildings and the 1980s shopping arcade.

Two hotel chains — Holiday Inn and Indigo — will occupy the upper floors of the complex, creating a total of 453 rooms.

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An artist's impression of inside the proposed 11-storey shops and hotels redevelopment. Picture: The Buchan Group

The 3488 sqm block is a site wedged between Union Lane and the David Jones department store to the east, and The Causeway to the west.

The application has been assessed by the state planning department and has now been referred to the city council.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning received five objections including concerns about excessive demolition, construction disruption, the reduced number of bicycle parking spaces, lost daylight to nearby residents and overlooking from hotel rooms.

Map of the site of the proposed 11-storey shops and hotels redevelopment at 309-325 Bourke St. Picture: City of Melbourne

Current exterior of 309-325 Bourke St. Picture: Google

Town Hall officers also questioned the removal of so many buildings.

“The extent of demolition proposed has not been sufficiently justified and the

design, built form and architectural quality of the replacement buildings is not

acceptable,’’ officers said in a report to go before councillors on Tuesday, September 18.

Eight buildings would be demolished to make way for the project but four heritage facades, including the front of the 1920s-era Public Benefit Bootery on Bourke St, would remain.

The council report raised concerns about the potential loss of the heritage-graded, eight-storey Book Buildings, built in 1913, on the corner of Union Lane and Lt Collins St.

The eight buildings that will be replaced by the proposed 11-storey redevelopment. Picture: City of Melbourne

Concerns have been raised about the loss of the Book Buildings in Lt Collins St. Picture: Google

If approved, shops and cafes would occupy the basement, ground and first floors.

A gym would also be located on the first floor with the two hotels filling the rest of the levels.

No parking is provided under the current plans, with a drop-off area for patrons suggested on Lt Collins St.

The project is backed by Steadfast Capital management fund.

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@IanRoyall