When the World Architecture Festival 2025 shortlist was announced, JLL's Australia Design team discovered they’d earned their place among just eight finalists globally in the Interiors: Workplace (Large) category. Come November, standing on that Miami stage presenting their Melbourne headquarters, already shortlisted for the Australian Institute of Design Awards, they'll represent validation of a journey that took off during one of the most uncertain times in recent history.

JLL's Melbourne headquarters at 101 Collins Street presented an intriguing narrative challenge: how to unite the refined Collins Street and the gritty Flinders Lane locations into a cohesive workspace story.

"Through 12 months of iterative design, we developed a narrative that juxtaposes the polished charm of Collins Street with the playful, industrious spirit of Flinders Lane," Moore explains. The team’s solution was ingenious: overlaying Melbourne's famous Hoddle Grid onto the floor plan and rotating it 45 degrees, creating a dynamic layout of functional pockets connected by clear pathways, marking a first for the 101 Collins Street building.

The design celebrates Melbourne's textile heritage through meeting rooms named after historic rag trade buildings, custom fabrics featuring garment blueprints and a dramatic folded steel ribbon staircase connecting two floors. Material choices blend warm, refined finishes with cooler, edgier elements, literally embodying the Collins Street-Flinders Lane contrast. This commitment to local context extends to collaboration with First Nations artists who bring authentic Melbourne perspectives to the workspace narrative.

The results demonstrate JLL's design values: employee satisfaction jumped from 83% to 96%, the office achieved six Green Star and Platinum WELL certifications and 92% of construction waste was recycled. "A colleague walked into the office on day one and said it felt like they were being embraced by a warm hug," Wild-Taylor recalls. "It's lovely that this is the feeling we managed to create."

The WAF recognition establishes JLL's design team as a force reshaping how we think about the spaces we live, work, and play.

The evolution from 2020 gamble to global recognition has been remarkable. "When I started, people kept asking, 'Why are you going to JLL? They’re not a design firm...’ says Moore. “They weren't wrong then. We were still building something new. But now we're being sought out by designers who see the opportunities we can offer."

After all, JLL's integrated approach is itself a powerful opportunity, with visionaries like Moore, Walsh, and Wild-Taylor each blending creative curiosity with contextual storytelling, all backed by the full spectrum of real estate capabilities from concept through to completion.

So, when November arrives and the team takes that Miami stage, you'll witness more than an award-winning project. You'll see proof that Australia's most compelling design stories unfold when bold vision meets the comprehensive support to realise it.

From Melbourne to Miami... to your next extraordinary space. Connect with JLL’s Australian design team and learn how we can bring your vision to life.