By Cara Waters
Richmond station could be redeveloped under a proposal by architects Bates Smart to overhaul the site and sell off surrounding public land to build new homes and a hotel.
The $700 million redevelopment would transform the station into “Richmond Sports Link”, with a new station roof and improved lighting, way-finding and accessibility.
An artist’s render of Bates Smart’s proposal to redevelop Richmond Station.
Bates Smart’s proposal includes building 500 homes across five new residential towers and a 150-room hotel on the site’s northern edge, funded in part by selling the 1700-square-metre parcel of state-owned land next to the station.
Previous plans to rejuvenate Richmond station – as well as build new walkways over the train tracks from the station to Melbourne’s sports heartland – by the former Liberal government collapsed 10 years ago after millions of dollars of public money was spent developing the proposal.
Premier Jacinta Allan, who was appointed transport minister when Labor won government in 2014, said at the time her focus was on the Metro Tunnel, which would help ease the pressure on Richmond station.
But Julian Anderson, director at Bates Smart, said a redevelopment was needed, as Richmond station, which was used by about 4 million people a year, was a “pretty underwhelming experience”.
“The sports and entertainment precinct is one of the top sports and entertainment precincts in the world,” he said. “The facilities for those events are fantastic but the actual arrival experience, the sense of safety, accessibility, way-finding, is really poor for people using Richmond station.”
Anderson said his company’s proposal aimed to solve these problems and help address the housing crisis by providing 500 new homes.
“We need some new ideas in the discourse around what the future of Melbourne could be,” he said. “As part of the station upgrade we’re suggesting a new roof structure which would be very elegant and sophisticated.”
The plans include a station roof made up of small tent-like structures which would harvest rainwater, and including solar panels which could provide 50 per cent of the station’s energy requirements, Anderson said.
Architects Bates Smart said Richmond Station is a “pretty underwhelming” experience. Credit: Wayne Taylor
The plans also include room for retail on the northern side of Swan Street, focused on hospitality.
Anderson said the redevelopment could be funded by selling some of the state-owned land next to the station on Swan Street and by raising height limits for the nearby privately owned land, giving developers an incentive to build more homes.
The firm has also suggested a 20-storey hotel next to the western entry to Richmond station, which would be above the station so it does not interrupt the flow of commuters.
“It could become a pretty amazing hotel that has views towards the MCG and Gosch’s Paddock and would be an incredible place to stay when these events are occurring,” Anderson said. “We are proposing some additional height over what the current planning controls allow for, but we do believe the intent here is consistent with the philosophy that’s been articulated by the premier when she talks about greater density around train stations.”
Another view of the proposed redevelopment of Richmond station, as seen from the south.
The Allan government has planned 50 activity centres around Melbourne, which are areas around train and tram stations designated for higher-density housing and commercial development.
Richmond station has not been designated as one of these activity centres, but “inner Melbourne” and “Yarra” are both listed as areas where the government will collaborate with councils to “identify specific opportunities for strategic development sites”.
Anderson said it would cost about $350 million to build the residential and hotel component – at $5000 a square metre – and about $350 million to redevelop the station.
Credit: Matt Golding
Not included in the costings is a further proposal to provide a link to the MCG and the tennis centre.
“The way-finding isn’t great out of the MCG at the moment, and they shut down Brunton Avenue during match time,” Anderson said. “So potentially a new link over Richmond Station and into the station from the MCG would contribute to the ability to perhaps keep Brunton Avenue open, or at least some of it operational, and also get people off the surrounding streets.”
A spokesman said the government had not received the Bates Smart proposal but any pitch would be considered on its merits.
“Victoria continues to build and approve more homes than any other state – but there is more to do,” he said. “That’s why we are building more homes close to trains and trams, slashing stamp duty for off-the-plan apartments and townhouses, and making it easier to build townhouses across the state.”
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