Government puts Mission to Seafarers building out to tender

The Victorian Government’s Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is inviting expressions of interest from commercial operators to activate the heritage-listed Mission to Seafarers building in Docklands.

The property has been the subject of much speculation since 2021 when the state government partnered with the City of Melbourne to conduct a feasibility study on its future use.

The not-for-profit Mission to Seafarers Victoria, which has operated from the building at 717 Flinders St in Docklands since 1917, currently leases the building from the state government at no cost.

But with the increased costs of maintaining the heritage building, the state government with the council’s support, has sought to find ways of activating what it considers to be an underutilised asset.

DTP says it is now inviting expressions of interest from “commercial managers with industry knowledge to spearhead the development” of the site from March 6 until April 5.

“The site is located in the South Wharf precinct within walking distance from the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, DFO South Wharf and the promenade eateries,” the EOI description reads.

“The historically significant Mission to Seafarers heritage-listed building is located on site and occupied by the Mission to Seafarers Victoria, and in future the Melbourne Seafarers Centre Inc.”

“The selected commercial manager will be tasked with implementing a comprehensive commercial strategy aimed at ensuring the site's sustained viability and efficient management under a long-term commercial tenancy arrangement.”

There is substantial potential to optimise the site's utilisation through the implementation of a refined operational framework. To support this endeavour, DTP will provide partial funding to the appointed commercial manager.

It’s understood that the Mission to Seafarers Victoria would still maintain a presence in the building as part of any future activation under a commercial arrangement between the government and its chosen operator.

Developer of the Seafarers project Riverlee, which is currently transforming the neighbouring former Goods Shed no.5 site into a mixed-use development, is understood to be one party interested in activating the Mission building.

Riverlee is also delivering the new 3500sqm Seafarers Rest Park adjoining the two sites, which is one of the first major components of the City of Melbourne’s signature Greenline project that was expected to open last year.

In response to questions from Docklands News regarding its interest in the Mission to Seafarers building, a Riverlee spokesperson said it wasn’t able to comment at this stage as the government’s tender process was still ongoing.

It’s also not clear when Seafarers Rest Park will open to the public, with hoardings remaining up around the site.

However, development of its Seafarers project is progressing well in preparation for its expected opening this year, with Riverlee recently announcing the completion of the building’s façade in late January.

Led by Riverlee in collaboration with renowned firms, including Fender Katsalidis, Oculus, CARR design and ODO, the $600 million Seafarers project has reimagined the heritage-protected Goods Shed No.5.

It will feature a limited collection of 114 luxury hotel-branded residences and 277 guest rooms as part of Australia’s first 1 Hotel & Homes.