THE QVM GREENHOUSE EOI

The City of Melbourne is inviting the industry leaders from around the country to submit ideas for a greenhouse which will sit atop the new, temporary market pavilion at Queen Victoria Market. The 900-square-metre glass rooftop space is part of the redevelopment program for the heritage site.

In order to ensure that current stall operators within the market space remain open for trade during refurbishment works, the new market pavilion on Queen Street will act as temporary housing for market stalls. On top of this pavilion, the greenhouse space will operate as an iconic drawcard for the markets and have the potential to capture part of the markets annual 10 million visitors.  

“More than 10 million people visit Queen Victoria Market every year, so this is an unprecedented opportunity for specialists in fresh food production, education, hospitality, sustainability and technology to fit out and operate a coveted space,” the Deputy Lord Mayor and Chair of the Finance and Governance Portfolio, Arron Wood.

“From gardens filled with heirloom fruit, vegetables and Indigenous plants to a microbrewery, bakery and cooking displays, the sky’s the limit for what could be achieved in this exciting new rooftop area.”

The 120-metre glasshouse structure, designed by Breathe Architecture, will be suspended on columns nine metres in the air with an open air trading floor at ground level. Construction on the modular structure is expected to begin next month, with traders to relocate to the pavilion in March 2018. After this takes place, the greenhouse is scheduled to begin operating in mid-2018.

“We are committed to ensuring there are plenty of reasons for customers to keep coming to Queen Victoria Market while the renewal program is underway,” the Deputy Lord Mayor said.

“That is why we are investing $5.6 million in this unique temporary pavilion which will become a major attraction in its own right and will undoubtedly draw even more people to the market.

“In addition to reflecting Queen Victoria Market’s proud tradition as a fresh produce market, the pavilion will give traders improved access to refrigeration, water, power and storage with a focus on sustainability. It is a great opportunity to work with traders to develop and trial new trading formats and visual merchandising options.”

Expressions of interest opened Saturday 2nd September 2017 and will close at 11 am Monday 9th October 2017.

Further details and the EOI submission portal can be found at the City of Melbourne website.