Frontyard redevelopment launches into the New Year

It's full steam ahead at Frontyard!

Thanks to the fantastic building contractors who have provided countless hours to its redevelopment. Built Contract Administrator, James Hetherington, and Project Manager, Luke Rankin, are just two of the many involved working on the project.

There's been massive progress with construction in recent weeks, with the kitchen installation finalised on the accommodation floor, bedrooms nearing completion, and office areas, and sensory rooms starting to take shape.

The basement has now been demolished, making way for major structural work to create the main entrance to the building.

Upon completion, Frontyard will feature two storeys, each containing nine bedrooms and a sensory room. 

The two sensory rooms, generously funded by Gandel Philanthropy, are one of many new features of the disruptive service model.

The redevelopment of Frontyard has been made possible through a collaboration of government, philanthropy and industry as well as the generosity of the many external consultants, contractors and suppliers.

Some of whom have a vested interest in Frontyard, having had their own experiences with addiction and hardship, acknowledging that offering their services pro-bono is an opportunity to make a tangible contribution to help some of Melbourne’s most vulnerable young people.

Managing Director at Haydens Ceiling & Partitions, Hayden NewlandManaging Director at Haydens Ceiling & Partitions, Hayden Newland, opened up about his involvement with Frontyard. 

He said, “I had my struggles with addiction earlier in life which is why I wanted to help out. Some people in life are not handed the best card. The new Frontyard will be able to help those who need it most, that’s something you can’t put a price on.”

Urbis Regional Director Peter Small, is dedicated to building an innovative youth homelessness service. With years of experience in providing statutory and strategic planning advice across multiple sectors, Peter has devoted his time pro-bono to our multi-million-dollar project.

When speaking with Peter, he said, “In the last 20 years, our industry has been thriving with plenty of companies making a good return, employing a lot of people and paying a good amount of taxes that go back into the community. But we can always do more, especially as we are the industry that can physically build facilities that support at-risk and homeless young people.”

Get in touch if you have any questions or wish to support Frontyard

Find out more about the Frontyard redevelopment project. 

Visit buildaroom.org to find out how you can get involved and help end youth homelessness in Melbourne's CBD or call 1300 364 507 to donate. 

Thank you to our partners

Frontyard is the result of a community partnership, and we want to thank our philanthropic partners for supporting the build of a fully integrated 24/7 youth crisis accommodation centre.

Special thanks go to The Peter and Lyndy White Foundation, Gandel Philanthropy, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, PwC, Joe White Bequest, Dorothy Kingston, The Andrew and Geraldine Buxton Foundation.

Fourteen companies from the property and building sector have committed an enormous amount of hours to Frontyard, with the support of the Property Industry Foundation (PIF): Fender Katsalidis/Architect, Norman Disney & Young/Services Engineer, Wood & Grieve Engineers/Services and Structural Engineer, Case Meallin/Project Manager, Slattery/Quantity Surveyor, Ashurst/Legal Consultant, Urbis/Town Planner, Hendry Group/Building Surveyor, Irwinconsult/Waste Consultant, Equitable Access Solutions/Access Consultant, Built/Head Contractor, Apec/Electrical Contractor, AMP/Donated Workstations & Furniture and AGL Energy/Donated Ceiling Tiles.