Description

For nearly half a century, the site was home to a family cobbler, alongside the adjoining bank building. Today, BVIA on Bank has been thoughtfully restored and reimagined as a multi-award-winning architectural landmark in South Melbourne, blending heritage fabric with a contemporary addition.

Designed by Agius Scorpo Architects, the seven-storey building sits beside the former ES&A Bank and responds thoughtfully to its historic neighbour, demonstrating contemporary architectural expression done right. Copper detailing references early banking and trade, the building’s proportions follow the heritage streetscape, and impressions in the façade are inspired by the shoe lasts from the former workshop next door.

Led by developer sheBuilt and an all-female consultant team, BVIA on Bank reactivates a quieter stretch of Clarendon Street and introduces a new active frontage to Bank Street. By introducing new workplaces and daily activity, BVIA on Bank supports local businesses and contributes to the character and history of the Emerald Hill precinct.

What's On

Join sheBuilt founder Anne Michaels, Claire Scorpo from Agius Scorpo Architects, and project urban planner Sandra Rigo from Hansen Partnership for a rare chance to step inside BVIA on Bank.

You will get to explore spaces usually closed to the public, see the integrated artwork up close, and notice details you would never see from the street. Anne, Claire, and Sandra will share the story of how a former family cobbler business became a contemporary workplace and the ideas behind the building’s design.

The project was led by an all-female team across architecture, planning, engineering, construction, and art, showing the creativity, skill, and leadership women bring to shaping our cities.

The tour is conversational. There will be plenty of time to ask questions, hear stories from the team, and discover what makes this building so unique.

In Collaboration With:

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  Anne Michaels

  Anne Michaels is a property developer and investor who creates places that connect people, history and community. With over 25 years’ experience, she brings a thoughtful approach to development, with a focus on heritage, collaboration and long-term value.
  
  She is the Founder of sheBuilt, a women-led development initiative, and a former Non-Executive Director of an ASX-listed company. Anne is also President of the South Melbourne Business Association and Deputy Chair of the City of Port Phillip Business Advisory Group, where she contributes to precinct leadership and local economic development.

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  Claire Scorpo

  Claire Scorpo is the co-director of Agius Scorpo Architects and a lecturer in Architecture at RMIT. The practice’s work ranges from considered residential projects exploring sensitive material selection and engaged environmental design strategies, through to female-led commercial development BVIA on Bank, which seeks to address gender equity in the profession and promote women in the built environment.

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  Sandra Rigo

  Sandra Rigo is a Director at Hansen Partnership and a Town Planner with over 30 years of experience across statutory and strategic planning in both the private and local government sectors throughout Melbourne and Victoria and is often called as a planning expert at VCAT and similar forums.
  
  Beyond her project work, Sandra is a strong advocate for women in the property industry. She is passionate about mentoring young planners, supporting their professional development, and helping create clearer pathways for women to grow into leadership roles. She also volunteers her planning expertise to a not-for-profit community housing provider.
  
  Sandra contributed to the BVIA on Bank project, applying her planning expertise to support the team through the approvals process and navigate the planning and heritage issues involved in delivering a complex, design-led project within a sensitive context.