Invicta House is a commercial development inclusive of office spaces across seven floors, with a restaurant in the basement and ground level, and a modernist 1920s warehouse-inspired two-storey rooftop extension with terrace.
The one hundred year-old building at 226 Flinders Lane Melbourne — formerly a silk factory, police station and backpackers' accommodation — has been redesigned and now stands as a prime example of adaptive reuse at its corner location on Flinders Lane and Swanston Street.
Designed by Plus Architecture for STRE Management, the design approach creates a generous civic presence that aligns with the City of Melbourne's laneway strategy which seeks to humanise streetscapes and encourage active frontages. Interventions include the introduction of a classical-inspired colonnade that creates an inviting street presence for pedestrians, encouraging them to engage and linger, while the reinstated facade clock adds signature charm to the completed design.
Behind the colonnade lies a central archway and an intricate staircase — the fluid lines referencing the rolls of fine silk once traded from this site. Tasked with addressing the mixed-use nature of the location and the significant height difference between the street and building entrance, Plus created three delineated access pathways from a central staircase. The staircase's central arch mirrors the iconic arcade in the heritage-listed Nicholas Building across the street, providing seamless access while defining the space's identity.
The new design reveals and frames the heritage structure through daylight-catching bay windows that project into the laneway and a layered entry sequence that blurs boundaries between public and private space. The rooftop extension is thoughtfully incorporated within the overall form of the building, with the completed terrace meticulously complementing the structure below.
Plus Architecture Director Ian Briggs explains, "Every heritage building comes with a story that can be celebrated, and Invicta House was no different. Despite the complexities, maintaining structural integrity was vital, and through harnessing adaptive reuse principles, we have been able to showcase the building's rich history."
The adaptive reuse approach provides a number of benefits, including increased efficiency and sustainability by reducing construction waste, minimising material costs, preventing major demolition, and preserving and enhancing the city's fabric.
This vision for sustainable development aligns with the collaborative approach taken by the project partners, with Matthew Burrows Australian Country Manager for STRE Management adding: "With Invicta House, we shared a vision to honour the past of this historic building while developing new opportunities to ensure it can be fit for modern use. Collaborating with Plus Architecture has resulted in an expressive mixed-use development that celebrates both Melbourne's historic past and its contemporary future.”
Invicta House demonstrates Plus Architecture's commitment to thoughtful urban design and renewal in Australia's most significant heritage precincts.
