Hamton and Hostplus appointed to deliver $7 billion Arden Central, a new cultural and parkland neighbourhood for Melbourne

A joint venture between Hamton and Hostplus is leading a consortium of partners and collaborators to deliver a vibrant new community just 1.5 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD. 

The $7 billion transformation of Arden Central will deliver more than 5,400 homes for more than 10,000 residents, alongside retail and community amenities and more than 5.5 hectares of open space. 

Following a competitive tender process overseen by Development Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government, the appointment builds on the longstanding partnership between Hamton and Hostplus, who are also joint venture partners on the $3.5 billion redevelopment of the Moonee Valley Racecourse, another community-focused neighbourhood, with high-quality amenities and public spaces. 

Following an initial stage of major civil infrastructure works, the first residential building is expected to be completed by 2032. Stage One will target the delivery of approximately 1,700 homes and 45 per cent of the overall precinct area, including key amenities and public spaces that will help shape the new community. The full vision for Arden Central will be delivered progressively over 25 years. 

The precinct represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the city’s iconic network of cultural and parkland precincts, made possible by the Victorian Government’s investment in Arden Station. 

Hamton and Hostplus will introduce Live Nation, Melbourne Victory Football Club and the University of Melbourne as precinct Partners, helping to establish Arden Central as a destination for sport, entertainment and education and building on North Melbourne Football Club's 150-year presence in this location. 

Designed to support a thriving new neighbourhood, Arden Central will feature a world-class live music venue, a full-line Coles supermarket, gym, childcare, commercial space, and a landmark retail and hospitality precinct. Land identified for a future government primary school within Arden Central will complement the planned new government secondary school in Arden. 

Live Nation will deliver and operate a new 5,000-capacity live music venue which is expected to host more than 100 events annually, attracting international, national and local artists while also helping to attract interstate visitors and international tourists to Arden Central each year. 

The retail and hospitality precinct will be anchored by a full-line Coles supermarket and bring together large and small-format retail and outdoor dining, helping to create a walkable neighbourhood with the amenities residents need close to home. 

Melbourne Victory Football Club is set to establish its new Arden Campus, including a hub for women’s and youth female pathway programs, a Community Field and Community Hub which will be shared assets able to cater to future community soccer teams, the university and future schools. 

Arden Central will undergo a nature-led regeneration to become a global exemplar of nature-based design excellence, placing sustainability, biodiversity and green space at the heart of the precinct. 

More than 45 per cent of the site will be dedicated to parks, living landscapes and gardens woven throughout the community 

The precinct will deliver 5.5 hectares of open space, equivalent to around eight football ovals, including eight new parks, community sporting fields and a 7,500sqm park inspired by the historic blue saltwater lake that characterised the region. 

Guided by the principles of Designing with Country, Arden Central will be the City of Melbourne’s largest infill parkland and housing precinct designed in partnership with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders and communities from the outset. 

World-leading urban realm designer Gehl Studios has curated the public realm around the principles of connection, activity and wellbeing, bringing together walkability, biodiversity and landscaping to create spaces that support community life. 

The University of Melbourne- located just a two-minute train ride from the new Parkville Station- will establish an extension of the Melbourne School of Design (to be known as MSD+) at Arden Central, which will include a developer-funded research grant for the life of the project centred on nature based excellence in urban development. 

Addressing both housing supply and affordability, Arden Central’s first stage will offer up to 10 percent of its homes to first home buyers. 

Arden Central is expected to create more than 1,100 full-time equivalent jobs on-site once complete. 

For Hostplus - one of the largest industry super funds in Australia with more than 2 million members, more than 330,000 contributing employers and over $160 billion in funds under management – the project demonstrates how institutional capital can help unlock major developments that generate long term value for members, residents and communities, while highlighting the role long-term investors can play in increasing housing supply. 

Arden Central will aim to achieve 2040 net zero carbon operational energy by being an all-electric precinct, which will aim to achieve a 6-Star Green Star Communities precinct rating, 8-Star NatHERS development energy rating for apartment buildings, 6-Star NABERS energy and water ratings for all buildings. 

Quotes attributable to Hamton Founder and Executive Chairman, Paul Hameister: 

“Our ambition for Arden Central is to create something internationally remarkable - a place that blends together culture, entertainment, sport and nature in a way that stands alongside the best precincts in the world.” 

“Opportunities to create an entirely new part of Melbourne at this scale, just 1.5 kilometres from the CBD, will not be replicated in modern times. To be entrusted with creating and delivering this precinct is a huge responsibility, but also an incredible opportunity to shape a place that will become part of Melbourne’s identity for generations to come.” 

“The calibre of the people around the table says a lot about what we’re trying to achieve at Arden Central. Over the past two years, a consortium of world-leading organisations, creative minds and cultural partners from across the planet have been working tirelessly to prove up a complete neighbourhood that will change the way people experience city living in Melbourne.” 

“Arden Central is designed to bring a different kind of city life to Melbourne, one where the neighbourhood feels more like a campus, walking is the natural way to move around and nature is woven into everyday life. With 5.5 hectares of new open space, we believe it can become a global exemplar of nature-based city living.”

“Without the Victorian Government’s investment in Arden Station, an opportunity of this scale and significance simply would not have been possible.” 

Quotes attributable to Hostplus CEO David Elia: 

"By helping build the future of Arden Central, we're also helping build the financial futures of our members through an investment designed to deliver long-term value. This project highlights the powerful role institutional capital can play in unlocking major developments that have the potential to generate strong member outcomes while also contributing to thriving communities and economic growth.” 

Quotes attributable to Hostplus CIO Sam Sicilia: 

" Arden Central brings together many of the characteristics we look for as long-term investors: a strategic location, strong fundamentals and an experienced development partner. This investment builds on our track record of investing in high-quality assets that generate long-term value, while helping to create vibrant places where people want to live, work and connect.” 

Quotes attributable to North Melbourne Football Club CEO Jennifer Watt 

“The North Melbourne Football Club is delighted to learn that Hamton & Hostplus have been announced as the preferred developer to transform the Arden Precinct into a thriving neighbourhood, right on the doorstep of our home, at Arden Street. We are proud to be a Place Partner with Hamton and look forward to working collaboratively with them to help create a deep sense of belonging for all who visit, work and live within the Arden Precinct.” 

Quotes attributable to Melbourne Victory Football Club Managing Director Caroline Carnegie 

"The Club is excited to be at the centre of Arden Central, with Melbourne Victory's Arden Campus adding new elite player pathways and community programs integrated into the lives of Melburnians at the precinct, reaffirming Melbourne Victory's position as the club for all Victorians." 

Quote attributed to Live Nation President, Australia & New Zealand Alex Klos 

“We’re proud to partner with Hamton and Hostplus on this exciting new venue. Melbourne is one of the world’s great live music cities, and continued investment in venues is essential to maintaining that position. This purpose-built venue will fill an important gap in the market, while helping establish Arden Central as a vibrant new destination for live entertainment.” 

Quote attributed to University of Melbourne, Professor Alan Pert, Interim Dean, Architecture, Building and Planning 

“We are delighted to be a Place Partner at Arden Central and to collaborate with Hamton, Hostplus and Nature Based Cities in delivering a shared vision for a more nature-positive urban future. Through the Melbourne School of Design, Arden Central will serve as a living laboratory for research, education and public engagement, demonstrating how nature-based solutions can transform buildings, precincts and cities while creating tangible benefits for communities, biodiversity and industry.”