Known as Elite Park, it will sit between the Tullamarine Freeway and Airport Drive, alongside the Urbnsurf wave park and Essendon Football Club’s training ground.
The move, which is still subject to Federal Government approval, comes on the heels of last month’s announcement that the airport will build a $3 billion third runway, plus details of a long-awaited rail link, expected to cost up to $10 billion, to take passengers the 18km to Melbourne’s CBD.
The Elite Park project over three stages is proposed to commence in 2025, with the first stage scheduled for the end of 2026 when its first tenants would move in.
Overall, it is a nine-year development that the airport’s owners, Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd, say will support thousands of jobs and create $246 million of economic benefit.
Beyond just moving air passengers, chief of ground transport, property and retail, Jai McDermott, said airport was “building community spaces that create jobs and places where people can spend time with friends and family”.
Australia’s first surf park, Urbnsurf is an example of a popular public facility at Tullamarine and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors – including business event groups – each year.
“Elite Park will attract a range of tenants, including entertainment and leisure, food and beverage outlets and large-format retail businesses. One of our expected tenants is Topgolf, who will bring their first facility to Melbourne,” said McDermott.
“As well as thousands of jobs, this development is expected to create around $246 million in value to the Victorian economy each year, a significant boost for the state.”
The plans for the proposed Elite Park precinct went on public display last week and community consultations begin next week.
Earlier this year Accor opened a dual-branded Novotel and ibis Styles hotel and wellness offering within the terminal precinct at Tullamarine.
And retail and hospitality facilities have already been developed at Melbourne’s old airport at Essendon, which includes a discount brand precinct and a Hyatt hotel.
