JLL honours Melbourne’s historic ‘Rag Trade’ in innovative new Melbourne office

MELBOURNE, 21 August 2024 – JLL’s newly completed Melbourne office fit-out occupies two levels in the prestigious 101 Collins Street building and pays homage to the booming textile manufacturing industry of the 1900’s. The office is located between Collins Street and Flinders Lane, an area with a diverse urban fabric that has been incorporated into the new workplace aesthetic through a warm, refined palette contrasted by cool toned and edgy finishes.

Collins Street is well known for its high-end elegance, but few are aware of the rich history of the street parallel to it, sitting on the other side of the 101 Collins Street building. During the 20^th century, workshops lined Flinders Lane and it became the hub of the clothing industry, referred to colloquially as the ‘Rag Trade’.

This piece of history is echoed throughout the contemporary office design for JLL’s new fit-out, from the knitted upholstery textile that is used throughout the fitout, down to the naming of meeting rooms. Pawson, Sargood, Tomasetti, Ross, Swiss – all named after the key buildings established in Flinders Lane during the Rag Trade, such as the Tomasetti Building in 1905 and Pawson House in 1935.

“It was important to us to create a space that celebrated Melbourne’s diverse local history,” said Jennifer Moore, Senior Director for JLL Design Services. “Over the 12 month-long design process and briefing strategy, we shaped a narrative with the juxtaposition between refined Collins Street and playful Flinders Lane, representing and championing the broad diversity of our JLL teams who now call the office home.”

The JLL Design team also took an innovative approach to the floorplan, viewing it through a new lens and taking inspiration from the city of Melbourne to create a first for the 101 Collins Street building. By overlaying the Melbourne’s CBD ‘Hoddle Grid’ onto the building’s footprint and rotating it 45 degrees, a new layout was created emphasising functional pockets of space connected by clear pathways.

The space occupies 3,660 sqm across levels 32 and 33, crafted for and by JLL with every step of the project a joint collaboration between multiple JLL in-house teams; Tenant Representation, Project & Development Services (PDS), Design, Technologies, and Sustainability Services.

Kate Pilgrim, JLL’s Managing Director – Victoria, says that in addition to catering for JLL's own needs, the space at 101 Collins has been designed to enhance collaboration and provide exceptional experiences for clients, with the notable inclusion of a JLL first in the ‘Business Lounge’.

“Our new office showcases exceptional modern design while reflecting the urban fabric of Melbourne,” Ms Pilgrim said. “This design fosters an environment that inspires our people and clients alike to excel while offering stunning views of the city that has inspired it.”

JLL’s new Melbourne office champions future functionality with state-of-the-art technology and leading-edge sustainability practices, all while honouring the past era where this iconic real estate sits through an impressive, innovative design approach.