Arden Central: A New Cultural and Parkland Neighbourhood Approved for Melbourne

Hamton and Hostplus have been selected to deliver Arden Central, a $7 billion, nature-led neighbourhood just 1.5 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD. We are proud to be part of their delivery team.

Selected to transform the Arden precinct

Following a competitive tender process overseen by Development Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government, Hamton and Hostplus have been appointed to transform the Arden precinct into one of Melbourne's most significant new neighbourhoods.

It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and Ark Resources has been engaged as ESD consultant to help deliver the sustainability vision.

Parks, living landscapes and gardens at the heart of the precinct

Hamton and Hostplus have set an ambition for Arden Central to become a global exemplar of nature-based design excellence, placing sustainability, biodiversity and green space at the heart of the precinct.

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. A developer-funded research partnership with the University of Melbourne's Melbourne School of Design will drive nature-based excellence across the full life of the project.

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

Sustainability built into the masterplan from the outset

Hamton and Hostplus have set ambitious sustainability targets for the precinct, including:

These commitments are integrated into the masterplan from the outset, embedded in design guidelines and development controls, not added at the end. Ark Resources' role is to make sure the ESD ambition is translated into practical, deliverable outcomes at every stage of the project.

Homes, amenity and a place for community life

Arden Central will deliver more than 5,400 homes for more than 10,000 residents alongside retail, community amenities, elite and grassroots sporting facilities, a world-class live music venue, and direct access to Arden Station.

For Ark Resources, being part of a project of this calibre, where sustainability and nature are the organising principles and not a footnote, is exactly what we do this work for. We congratulate Hamton and Hostplus on their appointment and look forward to sharing more as Arden Central takes shape.