The prominent business space at 420 Victoria Street Brunswick will be revamped to include private studios, a new makerspace, workshop areas and a mix contemporary collaborative working spaces following confirmation of a new 20-year lease between Merri-bek City Council and Ethical Property Australia on 17 September 2020.

The site will be expanded to support the development of a broader mix of businesses and entrepreneurs under the management of Ethical Property Australia. The building upgrade will include 2 new lifts, a communal open space between the buildings, rooftop solar panels to both buildings and zero carbon electricity supply, which will see the site will be carbon neutral.

A wide range of programs and activities will be provided to tenants and the site community to help build start-up skills and growth pathways. Existing tenants will be supported through the transition.

The development of the site is in line with the partnership vision between Merri-bek, RMIT and Creative Victoria, to embed the Brunswick Design District as a key attractor of creative and enterprise activity in Brunswick. 

Council’s extensive expression of interest process, which commenced in April 2019, attracted some impressive innovative proposals of how to transform the site with a focus on financial feasibility, activation of the site, and benefits to the local community.

The site was known as the Brunswick Business Incubator since 2002 and managed by the Merri-bek Enterprise Development Centre.

Ethical Property Australia’s Chief Development Officer Peter Allen provides insight into the future changes.

“Over the coming months you’ll see physical changes to the buildings, as we will be investing significantly to refurbish, refresh and regenerate the site to create an inspiring, innovative and vibrant “campus”. 

“Working with the community and stakeholders, we will co-design a space and place to build on their entrepreneurial spirit and creative flair. Our focus will be on helping to add resilience to existing enterprises based from here, but we also want to help develop new businesses to increase employment opportunities for the local community. 

“Keep an eye open for the business education and support programs that will be coming. We have been working on this project since well before the COVID pandemic and the timing of this activity is needed now more than ever.”

For further information please email Vetty Duncan at Ethical Property Australia, vetty@ethicalproperty.com.au