One of Melbourne’s most celebrated examples of modernist architecture

140 William Street

The current refurbishment of 140 William Street presented a valuable opportunity to restore non-original areas of the ground plane and introduce a new café pavilion that complements the original architecture.

 

Bates Smart’s approach, with client Rest, has been both considered and restrained, ensuring that this significant building remains true to its distinctive form while also evolving as a next generation workplace environment.

Jeffery Copolov

Director, Bates Smart

The design proposal for the new café pavilion draws on the geometry, architectural language and limited materials of the original tower. A series of folding roofs echo the 45-degree bracing steel structure along the eastern boundary of the plaza. Large panes of structural glazing are in dialogue with the flush-glazed tower and allow the plaza to merge seamlessly with the café interior. The resulting design has a crisp architectural language that is consistent with the original tower but has a legible character and identity in its own right.

Within the lobby, Harcourt granite is reinstated to the lift core walls, the ceiling is lifted to its original height. New furniture settings and significant commissioned artwork provide a welcoming environment for tenants to meet within an enhanced public realm.

Details

Client

Rest

Location

Melbourne | Wurundjeri Country, Australia

Sectors

Year

2025

Status

Ongoing

Area

975 sqm