Grand Plans

Works on the grandstand form part of the wider overhaul as the most significant upgrade in the club’s 150-year history.

Known as the Grand Pavilion, the design is grounded in the racecourse’s rich history, comprising a series of bold terraces providing upgraded entertainment, function and hospitality space.

Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) appointed the global architecture firm to lead the redevelopment in 2019 for its demonstrated history designing city-defining civic and events precincts.

The redesign will feature optimised viewing, upgraded facilities, and engaging social spaces through a state-of-the-art pavilion that combines form, function and the unique essence of the racing experience. The tiered massing articulation is designed to maximise efficiency and offer more elevated viewing platforms with a multitude of vantage points. One of the central design features is the “inflection” of the building form towards the “finishing post”; this design feature is intended to amplify a sense of anticipation and excitement for spectators during the race.

Rather than a single static structure with a defined front and back, the Grand Pavilion has been designed without linear organisation, allowing for an interactive interface with the surroundings. Woods Bagot director Bruno Mendes says the building is activated on each face with views from every direction, animated by a variety of day stalls, mounting yards, racetrack and a heritage precinct.

“Surrounded by nature, augmented by technology, and layered with experiences, this is a building that will rejuvenate the Caulfield experience,” says Mendes. This innovative shift fosters a more inclusive, dynamic racecourse environment, encouraging a deeper engagement and offering an enriched experience of the racing event.

“It will activate the everyday, evolve with the times, surge with the crowds, and be electrified by the thrill of the race day,” says Mendes.