A proposal by Longriver Pty Ltd. to develop a laneway dining experience in the heart of Box Hill will re-envision the start-up street food model with a design that facilitates the creation of an “Airbnb for food trucks”.

The spacious concept features high ceilings and fan cooling to facilitate airflow throughout the building. Flexibility has been carefully considered in the proposed layout, which allows for the adjustment of seating arrangements to respond to tenant needs. Exposed red brick, black powder-coated steel columns and window frames, and timber accents add to the industrial market-feel of the design.

The established physical urban context is diverse incorporating established strip retail to Carrington Road with the north side of Cambridge Street as commercial and the south side as residential. The site is located opposite a bustling shopping centre which includes train and bus interchange, and fresh food market.

Buchan’s design for the proposed development seeks to provide an appropriately scaled and responsible design approach which balances the opportunities and constraints of the site with the wider aspirations of the Council’s vision for central Box Hill as being “the most significant urban centre in Melbourne eastern suburbs”. Building upon and enhancing the urban experience of Carrington Road, the design will add unique dining uses that complement and extend the existing offering rather than repeating it.