The project to upgrade, maintain and conserve Sheds E, F, J, K&L and M at Melbourne’s landmark Queen Victoria Market is approaching completion. It has been a fascinating exercise in finding ways to make simple heritage structures meet current standards — every column, connection and truss has been analysed for integrity and capacity, with replacement done surgically, keeping as much as possible.

Queen Victoria Market has been operating since the 1860s, beginning with the sale of meat. The first Meat Market building opened for trading on 1 September 1869. The Parliamentary Act establishing the wider market was passed in October 1877. Shed E dates from that year, with extensions in 1904 and 1922. Shed F was constructed in 1878, Shed J in 1922, Shed K&L in 1923 and Shed M in 1936.

[ Location plan and extend of heritage registration (blue line). Dark grey areas represent conservation works (RH plan) ]

[ The roof profiles of Sheds E, F, J, K&L and M, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne ]

Works undertaken include …
— general repairs, maintenance and conservation works
— structural framing upgrades, including columns and roofs, to Sheds F, J, K&L and M
— structural and thermal upgrades to roof cladding to Sheds J, K&L and M
— solar panel installation to roofs
— mesh screen installation to Shed J
— roof access works to Shed K&L

Structural upgrades and repairs

Stress testing repaired trusses

Lantern window splice repairs

Roof ironwork before conservation, and paint system scratch test

New mechanical ventilation for the night market, and running new services for traders and public safety (fire)

New composite roof panel incorporating roof insulation

Completed interior (Shed K&L)

client : Queen Victoria Market
structural engineer : Robert Bird Group
main contractor : McCorkell Constructions
building services : Mott Macdonald
building surveyor : du Chateau Chun
OHS access : Sayfa
hazardous materials audit : Greencap