JLL’s new Melbourne office at 101 Collins Street honors the city’s textile heritage with a design that integrates references to the early 20th-century ‘Rag Trade.’ Designed by JLL Design Services, the office spans 3,660 sqm and incorporates historical elements, such as meeting rooms named after key Flinders Lane buildings. Jennifer Moore, Senior Director for JLL Design Services, emphasized the narrative created between the elegant Collins Street and the industrial heritage of Flinders Lane. The innovative layout, inspired by Melbourne’s ‘Hoddle Grid,’ fosters collaboration and functionality. The space also incorporates state-of-the-art technology and sustainability while enhancing both employee and client experiences.
We designed the JLL Melbourne Office as a reflection of our commitment to sustainability and innovation. The standout feature of this project is the thoughtful integration of diverse workspaces and natural light, creating a modern aesthetic that is both functional and inspiring. Experiencing the space ourselves, we see it being used exactly as envisioned, which confirms our approach to integrating local context and sustainable practices in our designs.
Interview with JLL Design Services
JLL’s new Melbourne headquarters, located in the iconic 101 Collins Street building, blends cutting-edge office design with a tribute to the city’s historic textile industry. Spanning two levels, the workspace reflects the early 20th-century ‘Rag Trade’ legacy of nearby Flinders Lane, once a hub for Melbourne’s thriving clothing and textile sector.
The design incorporates subtle references to this historical period, including knitted upholstery textiles and meeting rooms named after key buildings from Flinders Lane’s past, such as the Tomasetti Building (1905) and Pawson House (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.”
JLL’s design team adopted an innovative approach to the office layout by overlaying the Melbourne CBD’s ‘Hoddle Grid’ onto the building footprint, rotating it by 45 degrees. This created functional, collaborative spaces across the 3,660 sqm office, connected by clear pathways to optimize flow and interaction.
Kate Pilgrim, JLL’s Managing Director for Victoria, highlighted the importance of designing a space that enhances both employee and client experiences. “Our new office showcases exceptional modern design while reflecting the urban fabric of Melbourne,” she 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.”
The new office integrates state-of-the-art technology and sustainability practices while honoring the historical context of the area. It was a collaborative effort involving multiple JLL teams, including Tenant Representation, Project & Development Services, Design, Technology, and Sustainability Services, making it a space that champions both innovation and heritage.
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