“Inspired by the Australian native flower, Banksia is the pinnacle of Australian architectural design.” That’s what they say about Banksia Square’s namesake, the Banksia building. Here at Banksia Square, we’re surrounded by architectural ambition.
Banksia Square sits at the foot of the Banksia building. It adds 4600sqm of green space to the Docklands area. The square has quickly become a meeting point for local residents. The building’s iconic façade provides a picturesque backdrop to the square.
Let’s talk about the Banksia building. MAB Corporation developed it. McBride Charles Ryan designed it. Construction commenced 21 months before its completion. It was finished in December 2017.
The Banksia building has 18 levels. It holds 108 high-end apartments. These include penthouse, sky-home, and classic apartment designs. The building’s design takes cues from the native Australian Banksia flower. You can see it in the curved structure. Notice the circlet-crown façade.
Hickory managed the construction. They streamlined the fibre-reinforced polymer cladding. They also simplified the joinery. This resulted in cost savings. A structural redesign of the basement also saved money.
The rooftop Banksia Club offers communal facilities. There are BBQs and outdoor dining. You’ll also find a gym and a sunken lounge. A grand piano sits there, along with a kitchen. Three plunge pools offer enviable views. Look out across Victoria Harbour to Melbourne’s CBD.
The Banksia building has a circular floorplan. This allows each apartment to view water, city, or parkland. The nautical-inspired design brings the façade to life.
Apartment sizes vary greatly. One-bedroom apartments start at 62sqm. Three-bedroom options offer a spacious 165sqm. Skyhomes range from 248-264sqm. The penthouse apartments occupy an enormous 365-375sqm. They can be configured for up to four bedrooms. They also feature three living zones.
Hickory’s work included demolishing the existing promenade plaza. They also did extensive park landscaping. They constructed a private access cul-de-sac. The expedited program enabled an early handover of the public park section. This went to the Melbourne City Council. That park is what we now call Banksia Square.
The park features many Australian species. It’s a great place to relax. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of architecture and nature. Banksia Square embodies modern Melbourne life. It’s a space where community thrives. The iconic Banksia building watches over it.