Melbourne’s ‘pantscraper’ a future beacon for workers

A Melbourne skyscraper set to become one of the city’s most unique skyline landmarks has been earmarked as a landmark for its future workforce.

Collins Arch, so called for a bridge between the tops of its two towers, is on its way to being internationally recognised as an office building that improves its workers’ nutrition, fitness, mood, sleep patterns and cognitive performance.

The building at 447 Collins St will come with indoor air quality monitoring, as well as access for cyclists that won’t require them to share entry to the building with cars as part of WELL Precertification to a platinum level from the International WELL Building Institute.

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Onsite gym facilities as well as healthy eating choices at its retail precinct are also part of the project’s push for a healthier workforce.

Developed by Cbus Property and commercial property investment group ISPT, Collins Arch will offer more than 50,000sqm in office space, and will also feature a five star W Hotel with 294 rooms, 1000sq m of retail and 185 luxury apartments.

Cbus Property chief executive Adrian Pozzo said the certification would help attract top tier tenants, but was also part of the firm’s goal to invest in people.

A render showing inside one of the apartments set to appear at the top of Collins Arch.

“Currently the industry standard expected from high profile tenants is a Gold WELL rating but as an industry leader we wanted to elevate the offering at Collins Arch, giving the project another competitive advantage in the Melbourne leasing market,” Pozzo says.

“More than ever, companies are beginning to realise the importance staff wellbeing has on the bottom line and WELL ratings help ensure office buildings can deliver a healthier working environment.

“We believe this will be something that all commercial developers will need to integrate into future office projects in order to attract tenants and ensure occupancy levels remain high.”

Among the tenants already committed to the tower are law firms Minter Ellison, Gadens, King & Wood Mallesons, and HWL Ebsworth Lawyers.

Only a handful of Melbourne towers have received the platinum level nod from the WELL Building Institute, including Mirvac’s Olderfleet building at 477 Collins St.

Its precertification comes as the Institute’s parent body, Delos, has entered Melbourne’s residential market with a family home version of their wellness approach aimed at giving people better quality air and water at home, as well as customised lighting designed to mimic the sun’s brightness across the day and aimed at improving sleep cycles.

Collins Arch is also pushing to receive a 6-star Greenstar accreditation and 5.5-star NABERS energy rating to make it among the best in the city for the environment, as well as its workers.

This article from The Herald Sun originally appeared as “Collins Arch skyscraper to become one of Melbourne’s best buildings for workers”.