A groundbreaking ceremony yesterday officially kicked off proceedings for works on Aurora Melbourne Central which will in time become the tallest building within the CBD. Developer UEM Sunrise's CEO and COO Commercial were in attendance, as were representatives from the project's architects Elenberg Fraser, head contractor Probuild and project manager PDS Group.

Hosted on level 5 of the soon to be demolished car park structure onsite, the event celebrated construction officially commencing on the 92 level tower with an associated upgrade to Melbourne Central train station attached.

The near sold out project will also rejuvenate the laneway running between La Trobe Street and Little La Trobe Street, with new retail spaces on the cards. A new station entrance will link Little La Trobe Street with Melbourne Central train station which is expected to see movements through the station grow to 21.5 million per annum by 2031 according to Public Transport Victoria.

The official turning of the first sod, albeit in the car park

UEM Sunrise delighted with their flagship project

Today marks an important milestone for us as we are here to celebrate the official ground breaking for Aurora Melbourne Central. From the beginning our intention has always been to develop a premium project for Melbourne that will certainly make a statement. As our flagship development in Melbourne we believe it will create a new focal point for the Central Business District with enhanced access and connectivity to Melbourne Central Station from La Trobe Street with new escalators and lifts creating a new direct underground connection. We’re proud to have sold 941 apartments with 95% sales achieved worldwide within two months, making it our most successful development yet. Anwar Syarhin Abdul Ajib, CEO and Managing Director, UEM Sunrise

Aurora's latest rendering depicting the giant tower in situ. Image courtesy Elenberg Fraser

Callum Fraser on Aurora's design

1000 apartments that sit atop a train station represents a good model for high density urban development. The tower’s design is based on the national flower of Malaysia – the hibiscus with the tower unfolding from the hibiscus’s organic form, imbuing and celebrating a cultural understanding in a design that is unashamedly modern. The curved geometry responds to its context by opening up views of the city and its stepped form creates a unique silhouette on Melbourne’s skyline. The project seeks to activate and invigorate the north of the CBD, adding to its urban fabric and taking advantage of proximity to RMIT, the markets and the ability to connect directly to Melbourne Central as a shopping and transport hub. It wasn’t so long ago that the CBD used to stop at La Trobe Street. Callum Fraser, Director, Elenberg Fraser

Probuild: from the subway to the sky

Onsite demolition works are underway. Image courtesy Oh Yes Melbourne

Probuild’s Group Managing Director Simon Gray was on hand, providing an overview of the pre-planning required to bring Aurora Melbourne Central to fruition. Months of detailed analysis and planning were required to merely arrive at this point given the complexities involved with building the tallest and most significant development within the CBD.

During Aurora Melbourne Central's 48 month construction program thousands workers will be employed on the project, with 500 on site during its peak. 3,600 concrete trucks will filter through the site over life of the build, while 20 lifts and a 1,487 step stair well will service the building upon completion.

The largest apartment tower build undertaken by Probuild to date, Aurora’s shape presents a “unique challenge.” Designed to sway up to 500mm in gusty conditions, the exterior will also feature 2.1 kilometres of coloured LED lighting.

Probuild will deliver the tower over stages; the first of which is due toward the end of 2017, with full completion expected in the third quarter of 2019.