Industry News

Work on new Flemington Racecourse stand steps up

Work on a state-of-the-art new Club Stand at Flemington Racecourse is progressing well after the last steel structure was this week fitted on the Melbourne venue’s new structure.

Home to the prestigious Melbourne Cup, Flemington is one of Australia’s leading horse-racing venues and the new Club Stand is being built at a cost of Aus$128m (£72m/€82m/$102m).

The five-level stand has been designed by Bates Smart Architects and Flemington’s construction partner on the project is Sydney-headquartered firm Multiplex.

The final steel structure has now been fitted on the stand’s roof garden, with work continuing on the interiors and external seating decks. The work will be completed in time for this year’s Melbourne Cup on November 6.

“This new stand will be unlike anything racing patrons have seen before,” Multiplex’s regional managing director for Victoria, Graham Cottam, said.

The stand will comprise 1,500 tonnes of steel and has been designed to celebrate the venue’s history and character. It is set to provide impressive views of the racecourse and will also feature a first-floor wrap-around walkway, connecting to the existing Members’ Stand and Parade Ring.

A new north-south corridor will also form part of the new stand, linking the Betting Ring with the Members’ Lawn and Mounting Yard. The Members’ Lawn will be expanded and linked to spaces on the first level of the Club Stand by a tier of seating comprising viewing platforms and gardens.

On the fifth level of the Club Stand, spectators will be able to enjoy the rooftop garden, which will offer landscaped areas with open and enclosed spaces beneath canopies.

Multiplex has helped deliver a range of major construction projects across Australia, including the Melbourne Convention Centre, Federation Square and Crown Perth.

Image: Chris Phutully