Melbourne's "Pantscraper" reaches major milestone

WORK is now well underway on the 14-metre skybridge that will connect the two towers of the Collins Arch development in Melbourne.

Spread across two conjoined towers, the development will contain 50,000 square metres of office space, a five-star hotel, retail, restaurants and more than 200 luxury residential apartments.

Nicknamed the "pantscraper" by locals, Collins Arch is rising across an entire city block on one of Australia's premier streets, Collins Street.

Above: The base of the project will have the CBD's first new public park in 40 years (image courtesy of Cbus Property).

The building's unique design is a response to planning regulations that seek to restrict the shadows cast on the Yarra River. Woods Bagot and SHoP Architects decided to divide the site into two tapering towers that link at their summit with a multi-storey skybridge.

Beginning at level 34 and rising up to level 41 the 14-metre structure will link the developments commercial tower to its hotel and residential counterpart and contain a number of apartments and residential amenities.

Above: Residences will have breathtaking panoramas of the Melbourne skyline (image courtesy of Cbus Property).

The project will also provide space for the first public park in Melbourne's CBD in over 40 years. Additional features include an abundance of communal spaces, a statement pool, yoga studio, library and gymnasium.

Collins Arch is set to open in 2020, with Melbourne's newest 5-star hotel, the W, taking residence with its own exclusive amenities once the building is completed.

Above: Collins Arch will take up an entire city block (image courtesy of Cbus Property).