Balance Architecture and its principal Architect Andrew Fedorowicz note with interest the release of the proposed redevelopment of the Moonee Valley Racing Club track over the next 15 years at an estimated cost of $2 Billion. The only building not slated for demolition on the current site is the Moonee Valley Legends Gaming Room and Bistro situated on the corner of Wilson St and Thomas St. This building was designed by none other than… Andrew Fedorowicz!
It gives a panoramic and sweeping view of the track. With the new finish line, the view from the dining room and its verandah will be right down the finishing straight.
Please view our previous blog on Moonee Valley Racetrack
From our perspective there are still a number of heritage issues that will need to be addressed.
The Horse Stalls and ‘Birdcage’ with its century old Peppercorn trees, Manikato’s grave, and a number of other heritage items will need to be addressed, their future spelt out and if part of a heritage overlay, the protection to be offered and how these elements will remain in synchronisation with the Race Club and its track.
Here we reprint the press announcement:
$2 Billion Moonee Valley development plans unveiled
AMBITIOUS plans to transform Moonee Valley into a world-leading racing facility flanked by residential and business precincts have been revealed.
Dubbed “The Vision for the Valley”, the $2 billion redevelopment project could start as early as next year, and it could take 15 years to complete.
Racing at the venue would be suspended during construction but Moonee Valley Racing Club hopes the iconic Cox Plate meeting, recently won by wonder mare Winx for a third successive time, would be unaffected.
“There are two options we are currently exploring,” MVRC chief executive Michael Browell said.
“Ideally, we don’t lose a Cox Plate meeting at Moonee Valley and that will be dependent on the construction of the new grandstand and new track.
“Alternatively, if Moonee Valley is unavailable for the Cox Plate meeting, we would look to work with Racing Victoria and the other clubs to transfer it to either Flemington or Caulfield.”
Current plans are for the bold grandstand redevelopment to start after the 2020 Cox Plate, the centenary of the world’s equal-highest rated turf race.
The key points of the master plan are:
CONSTRUCTION of a futuristic grandstand along the site’s northern boundary, with views to city skyline.
THE release of 9ha on the site of the present grandstand to joint venture partners Hostplus and Hamton for residential development.
FUNDS generated from the land sale would fund track reconfiguration and grandstand construction.
BUILDING OF a new track surface, grandstand and infield likely to start after the 2020 Cox Plate.
NEW track to be 1702m in circumference, with the home straight extended from 173m to 317m.
RELOCATION of the stabling area to the infield, part of which would be transformed into sporting and entertainment areas.
MARKETING for the first residential precinct to start next year.
The plan has the support of Victorian Minister for Racing Martin Pakula.
“I congratulate the MVRC on its vision and I’m confident that it will ensure an exciting future for racing at the Valley,” he said.
Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson said: “This is an exciting development for the Moonee Valley Racing Club and the wider Victorian racing industry and the Racing Victoria board is very supportive of the club’s plans.
“We look forward to working with the club to help ensure their vision for the project is realised.”
The plan has the support of Victorian Minister for Racing Martin Pakula. Picture: Hamish BlairMVRC chairman Don Casboult.
MVRC chairman Don Casboult said The Valley’s redevelopment was a “history-making moment.”
“It will deliver a huge range of benefits for the entire community over the next century,” he said.
“The scale and ambition of this project is unparalleled. `The Valley of Tomorrow’ will respect our great heritage while creating a wonderful new environment for all to enjoy.”
Under the plans, construction of the first townhouse would start in 2018-19.
About 2000 residential dwellings will be built, comprising townhouses and apartment buildings.The balance of the mixed-use project will consist of retail and entertainment facilities, commercial office space and community and wellbeing spaces.
The racetrack infield will be used for outdoor events run by the club and also sport and recreation.Discussions will continue with local council and the state government to determine the final mix of uses.
Source: heraldsun.com.au
Here is the same announcement from the Developers perspective
Moonee Valley Racing Club Launch $2bn Vision for Urban Precinct
The Moonee Valley Racing Club has revealed plans for a massive $2 billion urban lifestyle precinct, adding retail and residential elements and transforming the track into one of the “world’s greatest nighttime racing venues”.
The racing club has appointed superannuation fund Hostplus and property developer Hamton to redevelop the racecourse into an integrated precinct.
Around nine hectares of the 40-hectare site owned by Moonee Valley Racing Club will be available for development by the Hostplus-Hamton venture. The proposed masterplan will be refined over the next 12 months and will likely include opportunities for mixed-use and medium- to high-density residential development with building heights of up to 25-storeys allowed within central parts of the site.
The racetrack will be realigned, widened and the home straight extended from the current 173 metres to 317 metres. Payments by the Hostplus-Hamton venture to the club will facilitate the construction of the club’s new grandstand and racetrack.
The site has already been rezoned to a combination of activity centre zoning and mixed-use zoning.
“The redevelopment will see MVRC cement its position as one of the world’s premier racing clubs and will reinvigorate the Valley as an iconic Melbourne destination of the 21st century,” Hostplus chief executive David Elia said.
“This investment will also complement our diversified portfolio and deliver strong risk-adjusted returns to members over the long-term.”
The site is six kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD and a short walk from Moonee Ponds rail station.
Hamton chairman Paul Hameister said the redevelopment of the entire site will be considered as an integrated precinct that provides “a great place to live, work and visit, with new public parks and facilities, food and beverage, complementary retail, innovative work-spaces and world class residential homes.”
“Part of the masterplan refinement over the coming months will include engagement with key stakeholders, including the community, to learn more about local priorities for Moonee Valley,” Hameister said.
A new network of public spaces will also be created within the racecourse precinct to provide a diversity of open space for the local community to enjoy.
The permit for the first stage is expected to be lodged early in 2018, and construction for the entire masterplanned development is expected occur in stages over the next 20 years.
Source: theurbandeveloper.com
From our perspective this may well be an interesting development. Moonee Valley is to some extent the track that grew ‘like topsy’. The Grandstands are somewhat dated as are the catering facilities and admin offices. The one thing that probably is quite unique apart from the aforementioned Horse Stalls and Birdcage area is the old Totaliser building located at the back of the Grandstands. Totaliser buildings were extraordinary in that the boards displayed required quite intricate mechanisation and rather high extensions for the displays. The ‘Totes’ were probably one of the first public displays of timely mathematical computations, where the Tote bets received altered the odds displayed in real time. Quite revolutionary for the times.
So what do our readers and followers think of this very large proposed development? Will it enhance the Moonee Valley precinct or debilitate it? You be the judge. Til next week