First stage of “futuristic wellness utopia” project approved 

The Victorian Planning Minister has given the green light to the development of the first three towers of the controversial $1.7 billion “Elysium Fields” precinct.

The first sod was turned at the Docklands site on November 6.

Joint developers Gurner Group and City Harbour have described the project as a “futuristic wellness and anti-ageing utopia”, with planned local facilities including cryotherapy, IV (intravenous) infusions, infrared saunas and red light therapy.

The Elysium Fields site, at 208-226 Harbour Esplanade, spans 27,000 square metres.

During the project’s first stage, 700 new dwellings will be built across three buildings, of which 42 will be affordable homes.

Public sales for homes in the first tower, which will be built by construction firm Hamilton Marino, are projected to launch early next year.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny’s approval of the plans came through on October 14 during the recent Victorian local government caretaker period, during which municipal councils must not produce material that could impact voting at their respective elections.

A lack of plans for affordable housing within the precinct was previously a point of contention when the project proposal was referred to the City of Melbourne earlier this year.

During an August 20 Future Melbourne Committee (FMC) meeting, councillors voted unanimously to advise the Minister that the council did not approve of the plans as they stood.

Councillors said the proposal was significantly different to the plans originally approved for the site in 2021.

The council produced a delegate report recommending the addition of affordable housing, a new school, and the redesign of some apartments to correct poor layouts and dimensions.

At the FMC meeting, then-Cr Jamal Hakim expressed disappointment in the proposal, saying, “we need to make sure that we are delivering applications that recognise our community needs, that recognise the controls, that deliver on the basics.”

Lord Mayor Nick Reece said at the time that Docklands “desperately needs more educational facilities”.

Gurner Group has detailed additional facilities that are planned for the precinct, which was designed by Fraser & Partners.

Elysium Fields residents will have access to a planned new location of Gurner Group’s Saint Haven Private Club, which already has outposts in Collingwood, South Yarra and Toorak.

Existing club locations offer personal training, group fitness, meditation, nutrition services, recovery treatments, and more.

A planned bathhouse will offer “15 different types of enriched water for optimum health”.

Plans also include a walking path running north to south through the precinct, a rooftop sports court, a pool club, the precinct’s own botanical gardens, and a “futuristic glass dome, modelled on the concept of Elysium being the utopian afterlife”.

“It has been an incredibly tough 18 months for the construction industry, but we have worked closely with Hamilton Marino at every step of the process to ensure this unique and game-changing project can and will be built,” Gurner Group founder and executive chairman Tim Gurner said.

“This project is a once-in-a-lifetime transformation precinct and one of the last remaining major developable land parcels in Docklands,” he said.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to re-shape the future of the Docklands and create a world-class, 24-hour destination this city deserves.” •