Delivering Australia’s first publicly accessible vertical sports centre.

Bundha Sports Centre is Australia’s first publicly accessible vertical sports centre, transforming a constrained inner-city site into a modern community sporting hub.

Delivered as a full Design and Construct project for Development Victoria, the five-level all-electric facility forms part of the Fitzroy Gasworks redevelopment. The centre brings together competition courts, community spaces, a gymnasium and supporting amenities within a compact footprint, creating a vibrant destination for sport, recreation and community connection.

Building up, not out

Creating multiple competition courts within a vertical building presented structural challenges rarely seen in community sports facilities. Large spans, significant floor-to-floor heights and post-tensioned concrete construction were carefully coordinated to deliver open, flexible playing spaces while maximising a constrained urban site.

Balancing design and buildability

The project’s structural solution and distinctive wave façade required extensive design development to balance architectural intent with practical construction. Working closely with Development Victoria, CO.OP studio and specialist suppliers, the team refined each element to deliver the quality, performance and visual outcome envisioned for the facility.

Keeping the project moving

With design development continuing alongside construction, the team carefully sequenced approvals and work packages to keep the project moving. This flexible approach allowed structural works to progress while later design elements were refined, maintaining programme certainty without compromising quality or design intent.

Building local opportunities

Bundha delivered more than a new sports centre. Working with Development Victoria, the project created opportunities for local businesses, First Peoples enterprises and social benefit organisations, significantly exceeding its social procurement commitments and creating opportunities that extended well construction.

$5 million in social procurement spend
More than six times the project’s original commitment.