Retail, hospitality and creative operators have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of the revitalisation of inner-Melbourne heritage supersite Jack’s Magazine.
Fitzroys is offering a leasehold interest over two components of Jack’s Magazine on behalf of Victorian Government body Working Heritage.
Located just 5.2 kilometres from the CBD - between Flemington Racecourse and Highpoint Shopping Centre - Jack’s Magazine is one of Victoria’s most intriguing heritage places. Most of the 12.2-hectare site’s bluestone and brick buildings, tramways, tunnels and earth blast mounds were constructed amongst the parklands between 1875 and 1878, and were used for gunpowder magazine and ammunitions storage. They played a continuous role throughout the 20th century.
The buildings that are now set to be transformed comprise the circa-1875 865sqm small arms ammunitions store and the 1921-built 112sqm loading dock shed. Lease terms of up to 21 years are preferred, but up to 65 years are available with Ministerial approval.
Fitzroys’ James Lockwood and Franklin Gikas are managing the Registrations of Interest campaign that closes 5pm Wednesday, 24th May.
“We’re coming into this with a pretty open mind,” Lockwood said.
“We’re looking for operators that can embrace the heritage character of the surrounds and deliver something that creates a real buzz, and bring in visitors from across Melbourne and beyond.
“Melbourne is world-famous for hospitality and creative experiences. This is the next opportunity to create something really special and leave a mark on Melbourne’s cultural landscape,” he said.
He said the small arms ammunitions store - the larger of the two offerings - was a “blank canvas” for operators.
“There are opportunities for hospitality, retail, education, tourism, creative industries, and light industrial with a retail aspect,” he said.
“That could be anything from Melbourne’s next humming brewery or distillery to a function centre or creative workshop.”
The creative workshop aspect could see manufacturers of items showcase both the production process of their creations and sell the finished product on-site.
“Astute operators will see the potential for a brand-new Melbourne destination experience,” Lockwood said.
Lockwood said the 112sqm loading dock shed could be transformed into one of Melbourne’s famous cafés, opened up to overlook the Maribyrnong River and capitalise on the views and ambience of the water coming right up to the space.
“Spending on cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services is at a long-term high and Melburnians are continuing to embrace the city’s hospitality offerings.”
Jack’s Magazine was overseen by the Department of Defence before being decommissioned in 1993, and eventually given back to the State Government. Working Heritage is a Victorian government body responsible for securing community and commercial usage of heritage properties on Crown Land and was appointed Committee of Management for Jack’s Magazine in 2015.
Working Heritage’s vision for the site is that, “Jack’s Magazine will be a vibrant place of diverse activity that is used and valued by a broad range of people, communities and groups. Its unique character will be protected and enhanced by any change and developments. Its history will be understood, conserved and celebrated. It will be financially, environmentally and socially sustainable.”