Charter Hall, Mitsubishi Plot Laverton Logistics Hub

Charter Hall has partnered with Mitsubishi Estate Asia to develop a 40,000sq m industrial and logistics facility in Melbourne’s inner-west.

The project will be delivered through a joint venture between Charter Hall’s $14-billion flagship Charter Hall Prime Industrial Fund and Mitsubishi Estate Asia, via its affiliate MEC Oceania Investment.

The Laverton North development is the first stage of a broader $500-million estate with potential for up to 175,000sq m of lettable area.

Charter Hall managing director and group chief executive David Harrison said the partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Asia would help the group meet demand in one of Melbourne’s most tightly held industrial markets.

“Through this partnership, we will deliver a brand new, state-of-the-art facility that strengthens our capacity to service significant tenant customer demand in a tightly held pocket of western Melbourne,” he said.

Mitsubishi Estate Asia head of Australia Yosuke Matsunaga said the Laverton North project aligned with the group’s strategy to expand its Australian logistics exposure “through partnerships with leading operators, focusing on high-conviction locations and sustainable assets”.

The site on the corner of Dohertys and Fitzgerald roads, about 4km from the West Gate Freeway, has connections to the Port of Melbourne and major arterial routes servicing the northern, western and south-eastern markets.

The first-stage facility will comprise 40,000sq m of warehouse space with flexibility to accommodate two tenancies, alongside 37m hardstands, a 6600sq m super awning and a mix of recessed and on-grade loading docks.

Sustainability measures include a 400kW solar system, 80,000-litre rainwater tanks and water and energy-efficient fixtures, with the project targeting a 5 Star Green Star Buildings rating.

Construction began in January after Texco was appointed as builder. Practical completion is slated for November 2026.

▲ The Laverton North plan is the first stage of a $500-million estate with potential for up to 175,000sq m of lettable area.

Mitsubishi Estate Asia has built a substantial Australian development pipeline through a series of high-profile joint ventures, most notably with Lendlease across landmark mixed-use and residential projects in Sydney and Melbourne.

These include stakes in Melbourne Quarter’s East Tower, the One Sydney Harbour towers at Barangaroo, and the One Circular Quay development, as well as newer residential ventures in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and at 175 Liverpool Street overlooking Hyde Park.

The partnerships have centred on premium, large-scale urban regeneration projects in tightly held inner-city locations, typically structured as 50/50 joint ventures and spanning luxury apartments, hotel components and mixed-use precincts.

Mitsubishi Estate Asia has also aligned with Mirvac on major build-to-rent and mixed-use initiatives, including a multibillion-dollar rental housing platform in Melbourne and involvement in Sydney’s Harbourside redevelopment, reflecting a strategy focused on institutional-grade residential and urban assets.