Fund managers, AXA IM, are driving the future success of 101 Collins through a strategy that will redefine the benchmark for workplace experience. The culmination of three years of placemaking research and design development, the ground floor will be refurbished to deliver a premium, hotel-like experience.
For 30 years,101 Collins’ has proved an enduring icon for the city of Melbourne, an unrivalled symbol of sophistication. But even icons need reimagining. With visual and experiential expectations changing, it’s time for us to evolve and build on the unique architectural elements that define our ground floor, whilst providing contemporary changes that reflect the requirements of the people who use the space.
The next evolution of 101 Collins has been thoughtfully reimagined to provide world class amenities for its tenants and visitors by renowned architects, Bates Smart. Selected for their respectful response to the existing design, their vision aligns 101 Collins with the most outstanding global precedents in premium workplace environments.
The refurbishment will redefine the experience of walking into our iconic and expansive ground floor. Through thoughtful refinements of existing finishes, the creation of new amenity and experiences, as well as a full replacement of both the Collins St and Flinders Lane entries, the ground floor will maintain a sense of continuity and connection to John Burgee’s original design intent, whilst reaffirming 101 Collins position as one of the most sought after premium commercial assets in Melbourne.
The original ground floor finishes will be elegantly refined, with the essence of the iconic bullseye floor pattern retained and reinvigorated, complimented by a new sculptural concierge area. New lift waiting area finishes will transform the lift lobbies, and a new transitional waiting experience has been created amongst our reflective and sculptural lounge pools, providing informal meeting areas designed for the convenience of tenants and guests.
Creating a connection with the natural environment, the immersive new Sanctuary Garden will bring ‘the outside in’, offering comforting green space in the heart of the city and fostering a sense of respite and escape. Grounded in nature and seamlessly integrated into the aesthetic elegance of 101 Collins, the Sanctuary Garden will surprise and delight our daily visitors through its lush planting, unique rainforest misting system, specially commissioned sculptural art, as well as seating which will be cleverly created by repurposing the iconic columns.
101 Collins has always been synonymous with architectural grandeur, providing a perfect canvas for showcasing art. As we continue to evolve, it is important that our art installations reflect the changing ambitions of our customers and visitors. Art Curator, Emily Cormack, has been engaged to curate a new art collection for 101 Collins, commissioning pieces by international artists and writing the next chapter in our creative narrative, delivering an unrivalled experience for tenants and guests through immersive, sensory and visually stunning pieces.
In a year which marks 30 years since the construction of 101 Collins, the remastered ground floor will provide an unprecedented entry experience, and, in the changing face of customer expectations, position the asset perfectly for the next 30 years.
Construction will be taking place over three stages by Built, a tier one construction company with a history of delivering high quality projects, commencing in November 2021, and scheduled for completion in March 2023.
