888 Collins Street

ROTHELOWMAN was invited to submit a design as part of a competition for this site. Sitting at the only meeting point of Melbourne’s two principal streets the subject site marks a unique point of significance, both physically and symbolically, in Melbourne’s urban landscape.

As they extend westwards, the changing character of Collins and Bourke Streets provide tangible evidence of evolution and city growth, stitching together the older city grid with the resurgent Docklands precinct. The site marks a key moment on this journey.

Drawing on the strong sense of place inherent in the meeting of these extensions to Collins and Bourke Streets, the architecture plays on the tension between the two. Façade skins alternate between a formal and restrained language reflecting the grand nature of the eastern end of the Hoddle grid. This results in a fluid and organic expression, as if the facades have been transformed by an irresistible force, lifting, tearing, shearing as a result of the convergence of Collins and Bourke Streets. At all times the moves respond and reinforce the building programme, giving clear expression and identity to the principal components of the building, be they the residential tower, hotel, entrances or public spaces.

The building embraces the importance of the site, weaving past and future together, and is a dramatic and confident statement about the continued evolution of Melbourne.