Key details
Location North Melbourne
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
Policy objective Urban Renewal, Sustainability, Housing, Economic Development
ClientDepartment of Transport and Planning
Project partners
Melbourne Water
VicTrack
Metro Tunnel Project
Overview
The Arden Precinct is a major urban renewal project in a well-connected and growing part of central Melbourne.
Just two minutes by train from Parkville’s hospitals, universities, and research institutes, and two stops from Melbourne CBD, Arden is ideally placed to deliver quality and affordable housing for a broad range of residents, including key workers.
Development Victoria and the Department of Transport and Planning are delivering the urban renewal of the Victorian Government’s landholding in the Arden Precinct, known as Arden Central, which is approximately 12 hectares of land located around the new Arden Metro station.
Arden Central will have its own civic heart and character guided by urban design principles contained in the Arden Vision (2018). It will become a new Melbourne neighbourhood delivering:
- more than 3500 quality and affordable housing,
- a thriving network of open spaces,
- safe walking and cycling links,
- community facilities,
- schools
- workspaces.
Arden Central at a glance
12ha Arden Central project area
3,500+ new homes across all stages
1,000+ new homes in Stage 1
Arden Central Market Process
Arden Central will be delivered in partnership with the private sector. A competitive market process is underway to identify a Master Developer for Arden Central with proposals from two short listed bidders now being assessed:
- Hamton Group and Hostplus together with Icon, Symal, Woods Bagot, Populous and Nelson + Koo
- Lendlease Development together with Assemble, NH Architecture and Prior + Partners
The proposals outline each bidder’s approach to masterplan design, staging approach, development program and financial offer.
Both bidders offer extensive experience and a strong commitment to delivering quality mixed-use development. A decision on the successful proposal is expected in 2026.
To find out more visit the Arden Priority Precinct page.
Timeline
Market Engagement
Investment Attraction Activities
Arden Station opened
Developer appointed and early works
Delivery of enabling works and first housing
Location
Latest news
View allUpdated on 13 February 2026