Mass timber office building opening in Melbourne

Hines has announced the practical completion of its mass timber office building in Melbourne. The building will offer tenants an employee-centric workspace to help attract and retain talent, while supporting demand for high-quality, green office buildings.

The firm’s T3 Collingwood is claimed to be the tallest mass timber office building in Melbourne. Building with timber can result in carbon savings when compared to steel and concrete.

David Warneford, country head of Australia and New Zealand at Hines, said, “We’re seeing a strong pivot towards ESG adherence, as well as towards core central locations, among today's tenants — both are expected to underpin growth for the prime end of the office market in Australia. Demand is there, and we see good locations and premium green buildings leasing.”

The 18,200 m² and 15-storey building is located at 36 Wellington Street in Collingwood, Melbourne, adding to Hines’ global portfolio of 26 timber assets in various development stages across North America and Europe as of 2023.

“These ‘magnet buildings’ are sustainability driven, well located, technologically efficient and adjacent to transit. They’re more than just office buildings. They’re places for building culture, collaboration and community,” Warneford said. “Given the strength of our portfolio, continued momentum in return to work in our capital cities and the future supply dynamics of office, we’re optimistic about the office sector in Australia.”

Hines is also developing 600 Collins, the firm’s $1 billion next-generation prime office tower in the heart of the city, which aims to set benchmarks for tenant amenity, workplace and ESG.