Arden to get more than 5,400 homes and the City of Melbourne's first new public secondary school since 1910
Developers have been appointed for Arden Central next to the new Arden Station, and land has been secured for a new public secondary school.
More than 5,400 homes will be built at Arden Central, next to the new Arden Station on the Metro Tunnel line.
The Victorian Government announced on 22 October that developers Hamton and Hostplus will deliver the precinct. The government says the number of homes is more than 50 per cent above the original target of 3,500, and more than 10,000 people will live there.
A new public secondary school
Land has been secured on two lots next to Arden Station, on Arden Street, for a new public secondary school.
It will be the first government secondary school built in the City of Melbourne since University High School was founded in 1910. The vertical school is meant to help meet growing inner-city enrolments. Land has also been identified for a future public primary school.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Gabrielle Williams said: "We are laying the groundwork for new schools where they are needed, including in Arden."
What's planned
Arden Central covers 12 hectares, 1.5 kilometres from the CBD. According to the release, it will include:
- housing for first home buyers, families, key workers and students, with at least 10 per cent affordable housing
- more than 4,000 homes designated for first home buyers, with Arden an anchor site for the government's First Home Buyers scheme
- a 5,000-capacity live music venue run by Live Nation
- a new Melbourne Victory campus, including a Women's Academy and youth female pathway program
- shops, food and drink, and 5.5 hectares of open space.
When
Works are expected to begin in 2027, with around 1,700 homes completed by 2033.
The government says the project will support around 3,800 construction jobs and create more than 1,100 jobs across the precinct.
Sources: “More Than 5,400 Homes And A New School For Arden”, Victorian Government media release, 22 October 2026 Adapted from “More Than 5,400 Homes And A New School For Arden”, Victorian Government media release, 22 October 2026. © Copyright State Government of Victoria, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence; this version has been edited and shortened, and party-political content removed. Illustrations: The Dosage.