Stage 1 of development in the Hart Industrial Precinct at Essendon Fields is now over 60% complete, following the delivery of a new facility for Autex Acoustics, reflecting ongoing demand for serviced industrial land in Melbourne’s inner northwest, particularly from businesses that value proximity to customers and a strong public facing presence. Named in recognition of an Essendon Fields Airport early aviation pioneer, James “Bob” Hart, the precinct brings together a legacy of enterprise with a new generation of businesses focused on innovation and growth.
The precinct has now completed over 60% of development in Stage 1, with over 100,000 square metres in total site area delivered and approximately 64,000 square meters of development ready land remaining. Sites remain ranging from 3,500 square metres up to 35,000 square metres.
Recent developments include a new Melbourne manufacturing facility for Modscape + Modbotics on a 40,000 square metre site and a distribution centre for Dutton Wholesale opened in 2024, alongside the new Autex facility opened in mid-2025.
Melbourne’s supply of well-located industrial land is tightening, particularly in established inner and middle ring precincts, underscoring the value of serviced sites at the Hart Industrial Precinct. Located approximately 10 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD and, unlike many developments in outer growth corridors that require rezoning and extended approval processes, the land is serviced and ready for development. This offers businesses high-quality industrial and commercial space with strong transport connectivity, access to a nearby workforce and the ability to maintain a strong, customer facing presence.
Essendon Fields CEO, Brendan Pihan, highlighted Essendon Fields excellent connectivity along with planned infrastructure upgrades as key to attracting more tenants to the remaining Stage 1 development sites.
“We’re excited about the Hart Precinct. Essendon Fields offers one of the last remaining opportunities to deliver large-scale, serviced industrial land within 15 minutes of the CBD and in close proximity to the Port of Melbourne. Occupiers seeking to upgrade or consolidate their property footprint into one centralised location are taking advantage of our strong connectivity and established surrounding amenity,’’ said Mr Pihan.
“A planned duplication and realignment of Global Avenue will also provide a more practical and attractive connection between the Hart Industrial Precinct and the Tullamarine Freeway, supporting easier movement for trucks and reducing the need for oversize load traffic management,” he said.
The upgrade will improve reliability and minimise disruption, with the ability to divert traffic to an alternate carriageway during maintenance, allowing continuous two-way access. New bike lanes, footpaths and landscaped areas will further enhance connectivity and amenity for the workforce.
The Hart Precinct is home to a diverse group of businesses, including organisations with customer focused retail and showroom components that require close proximity to clients and a well-presented business environment. The latest completed project is global acoustic materials manufacturer Autex Acoustics, relocating its Australian headquarters to a 10,600 sqm purpose-built facility occupying a total site area of 22,191 sqm, consolidating its head office, manufacturing operations and customer engagement into a single location.
Ahead of the move Kirk Schmidt, General Manager of Autex Acoustics Australia said, “This move will offer us the opportunity to amalgamate our Victorian locations into a single site, providing modern and efficient premises that will support the continued growth of our business”.
Dutton Wholesale, a division of Dutton Automotive and Australia’s largest national used car wholesaler, secured the flagship light industrial site at 1 Challenger Court. The facility was built speculatively and holds a high-profile corner location, occupying a 9,879 sqm site, including a 5,134 sqm warehouse, 503 sqm office, hardstand and onsite carparking. Dutton Automotive also operates a Dutton One dealership nearby at Essendon Fields Auto.
Modular construction specialists Modscape + Modbotics hold a purpose-built 20,000 square metre facility within the precinct for its modular construction business, supported by the precinct’s direct access to CityLink, the Tullamarine Freeway, the Calder Freeway and the M80, creating efficient national distribution. For Modscape, the location also supports its customer facing delivery model, enabling clients to visit, engage with product and experience the business in a professional and accessible setting.
Elenium, a global specialist in self-service check-in technology for airlines and airports, was an early occupant of the Hart Precinct. The precinct is also home to Leonardo, a global aerospace company providing maintenance and engineering support for its helicopter fleet, including aircraft used by emergency services air wings operating from Essendon Fields Airport.
The Hart Precinct benefits from the availability of world-class retail including DFO Essendon and LaManna, hotel and conference facilities at Hyatt Place Melbourne Essendon Fields, health services, access to childcare and ample green space, supporting organisations that require both operational efficiency and a high-quality, customer ready environment.
With the final serviced lots in Stage 1 now available, the Hart Industrial Precinct continues to provide a high-quality solution for companies seeking a centrally located, well-connected industrial estate with the ability to move from commitment to construction without extended delays.
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