The University of Melbourne and JLL launch new co-working space in digital innovation precinct

The University of Melbourne, together with JLL, are launching a new innovative co-working space, Melbourne Connect Co-working.

Launching 1 November, Melbourne Connect is a digital innovation ecosystem that brings together world-class researchers, government, industry, SMEs, start-ups and higher degree students in a purpose-built innovation precinct adjacent to The University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus.

With its mixed-use urban design, the precinct includes postgraduate student accommodation, retail outlets, an early learning centre, and a range of premium event venues. Melbourne Connect Co-working is the final piece of the puzzle in this unique precinct.

State-of-the-art amenities include dedicated desks, private suites, boardrooms, community spaces and a podcast studio, Melbourne Connect Co-working has been designed with collaboration in mind. The co-working community will gain access to a ceaseless flow of activities and interactions with the wider precinct community – from pitch nights and panel discussions to showcases, talks and workshops.

JLL’s Head of Flex ANZ, Tashi Dorjee said, “Melbourne Connect Co-working is a great launching pad for organisations seeking to collaborate and connect with the wider innovation ecosystem. This dynamic precinct encompasses University researchers, higher degree students, start-ups, industry, government and investors, all here to positively disrupt and transform our society with research and emerging technologies.

“We see JLL as the perfect partner to launch and manage this exciting new space with us as they are a global leader in real estate and workplace solutions,” said Professor Eduard Hovy, Executive Director of Melbourne Connect,” said Mr Dorjee.

JLL have been selected by The University of Melbourne as their partner to deliver and manage Melbourne Connect Co-Working, to provide a workplace experience that will be amenity and community rich, with enterprise level services and performance, managed and curated by an experienced, dedicated on-site team.

Mr Dorjee said, “JLL is proud to have been entrusted by our long-term client, The University of Melbourne, to bring Melbourne Connect Co-Working to life – setting the seal on this wonderful precinct. Melbourne Connect Co-Working will be the latest flexible solutions space of the growing global portfolio, delivered and operated by JLL.

“We are seeing increasing interest globally in the adoption of flex space solutions in close proximity to universities, with these spaces serving as fast and efficient conduits to connect industry to the higher education and research and development sector,” said Mr Dorjee.

JLL delivers solutions that combine extensive real estate, hospitality and design to create sophisticated shared workspaces in Australia and beyond. Numerous projects have been delivered in Sydney, Melbourne, London, New York, Chicago and a number of other US cities.

By connecting the right people in the right place with the right opportunities, Melbourne Connect Co-working is designed to help unlock digitally driven, data-enabled and socially responsible solutions to Australia’s most pressing challenges. The co-working space provides great scope for companies to test and experiment in nimble and dynamic teams over shorter time frames than they would in a traditional office environment.

Dynamic start-ups, spin-outs, scale-ups and research project teams will be able to collaborate with and gain access to the wider Melbourne Connect community, including co-located industry partners, The University’s faculties including the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology and  interdisciplinary research groups. 

Located alongside the University’s Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre, Melbourne Connect Co-working will provide a platform for the investor community and government representatives to work with entrepreneurs and emerging companies to establish themselves in Victoria.