The IAN Potter Southbank Centre

33-43 Sturt Street, Southbank VIC 3006

Generated 8 November 2026
Commercial · Educational/Research

46 mheight

10floors

2019completed

1businesses

2permits

Development milestones

Planning application	2016	Planning application TP-2016-665 lodged
Approved	By 2019	Planning permit granted (exact date not recorded)
Construction started	May 2019	First major construction permit issued
Completed	2019	The IAN Potter Southbank Centre completed: 10 floors

Building team

Architect: John Wardle Architects
Developer: University of Melbourne
Builder: Lendlease
Structural engineer: Irwinconsult
Services engineer: Aurecon
Facade engineer: Arup
Landscape architect: Aspect Studios
Heritage consultant: RBA Architects & Conservation Consultants

Planning & subdivision

Zone: CCZ7
Overlays: DDO1, DDO27, DDO60, DDO60-A4A, PO1
Strata plan: PP3084D · 1 lots
Scores: 🚆 7 · ☕ 5 · 🌳 9 · ✨ 3

Timeline

2020Ian Potter Southbank Centre wins Daryl Jackson Award for Educational Architecture and Victorian chapter awards
The building received the AIA Daryl Jackson Award for Educational Architecture in the 2020 National Architecture Awards.

20201 building permit and 1 certificate · about $585k of new works
Largest: Building 877 - Additions and Alterations to an existing Tenancy

By 2019Planning permit granted (exact date not recorded)
Derived from City of Melbourne Development Activity Monitor

2019The IAN Potter Southbank Centre completed: 10 floors
Derived from City of Melbourne Development Activity Monitor

May 2019First major construction permit issued
Derived from City of Melbourne building permits

10 Apr 2019Conservatorium students move into Ian Potter Southbank Centre
Southbank Local News reported that the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music had moved into the Ian Potter Southbank Centre, which was constructed by Lendlease, ahead of its official opening on Saturday 1 June.

26 Mar 2019John Wardle Architects' Ian Potter Southbank Centre opens
Architecture Australia reported that the $109 million Ian Potter Southbank Centre, designed by John Wardle Architects, had opened to staff and students and would officially open on 1 June 2019 after completion of the adjacent linear park.

20191 building permit and 1 certificate · about $13.7m of new works
Largest: Demolition of an existing building and external works All Works

2019First council census entry: educational/research, 11 floors

2016Planning application TP-2016-665 lodged
Derived from City of Melbourne Development Activity Monitor

11 Oct 2016Eight-floor conservatorium at 33 Sturt Street slated to start construction in 2017
The Urban Developer described the $105 million Melbourne Conservatorium of Music at 33 Sturt Street as an eight-floor building set to be the 'green room' of the city's arts precinct.

30 Sep 2016Proposed Sturt Street conservatorium to create linear axis between Sturt and Dodds streets
Urban.com.au reported on the proposed $105 million Melbourne Conservatorium of Music on Sturt Street, with John Wardle Architects as project lead and Aspect Studios as landscape architects, aiming to encourage activity across the site and the wider area.

13 Jul 2016University of Melbourne plans $105 million Melbourne Conservatorium of Music at 33 Sturt Street
Architecture Australia reported the University of Melbourne's $105 million new Melbourne Conservatorium of Music at 33 Sturt Street, adjacent to the Melbourne Recital Centre, with John Wardle Architects leading the design.

Building permits and certificates (4)

Each cost is the estimate on that record. Stages of a project often repeat its full value, so these don't add up to what was spent.

10 Dec 2020	Lot (2338) - Demolition and modifications (make good works to building canopy / wall projection To remain) of an existing building canopy.	$56k
24 Mar 2020	Building 877 - Additions and Alterations to an existing Tenancy	$529k
23 May 2019	Demolition of an existing building and external works All Works	$13.6m
15 Apr 2019	MCM Restaurant & Bar, Level 3 - Additions and Alterations to an Existing Restaurant & Bar	$130k

Questions and answers

Is The IAN Potter Southbank Centre residential or commercial?
The IAN Potter Southbank Centre is a commercial building. The City of Melbourne lists its main use as educational/research.

When was The IAN Potter Southbank Centre built?
The IAN Potter Southbank Centre was completed in 2019.

How many floors does The IAN Potter Southbank Centre have?
The IAN Potter Southbank Centre has 10 floors above ground.

What businesses are in The IAN Potter Southbank Centre?
The latest council census counted 1 business in The IAN Potter Southbank Centre, including Faculty Of Fine Arts and Music.

Is there office or retail space for lease in The IAN Potter Southbank Centre?
See the commercial listings on this page, or search this address on realcommercial.com.au and commercialrealestate.com.au.

Who designed and built The IAN Potter Southbank Centre?
University of Melbourne developed The IAN Potter Southbank Centre, John Wardle Architects designed it and Lendlease built it. The building team section has the sources.

How tall is The IAN Potter Southbank Centre?
About 46 metres, measured from the City of Melbourne's 3D building model. It's number 78 of 190 buildings in Southbank by height.

What public transport is near The IAN Potter Southbank Centre?
Flinders Street Station is the nearest train station, about 8 minutes' walk. The nearest tram stop is Arts Precinct/Sturt St #17, about 1 minute's walk.

What is the planning zone for The IAN Potter Southbank Centre?
The site is in the Capital City Zone - Schedule 7 (CCZ7).

Does The IAN Potter Southbank Centre have an owners corporation?
Plan of subdivision PP3084D has 1 lot.

Has any work been done on The IAN Potter Southbank Centre recently?
The City of Melbourne has issued 2 building permits for The IAN Potter Southbank Centre since 2019. The most recent was in December 2020.

Sources: City of Melbourne building permits (CC BY 4.0); CLUE building information (CC BY 4.0); CLUE business establishments (CC BY 4.0); Development Activity Monitor (CC BY 4.0); Geocoded National Address File (G-NAF) (Open G-NAF EULA (CC BY 4.0 based)). General information from public records, not legal, financial or building advice.