A new six-level Mercure hotel above a two-level Bunnings Warehouse store would seem an unusual pairing, but a new mixed-use development in Melbourne has done just that.

Built in line with Manningham Council’s vision for a sustainable, high density, mixed-use village on Doncaster Hill, the new $90 million hotel and retail development was built by Buildcorp Commercial and designed with architect ClarkeHopkinsClarke.

The hotel development features 183 rooms, restaurant, bar, alfresco dining space, sundeck, rooftop pool and fitness centre as well as function space and outdoor terrace. Fronting Doncaster Road, the 11,000m² Bunnings Warehouse spans two levels below the hotel and includes over 300 basement customer parking spaces.

The project targeted a 4 star Green Star Design rating through the inclusion of sustainability features such as LED lighting, solar hot water, on site water tanks and water recycling. An energy efficient mechanical services solution, featuring a range of power saving fans supplied by Fantech also contributed to this rating.

Awarded as fan supplier in August 2020 by mechanical services contractor, Custom Airconditioning, Fantech supplied almost 350 products that have been installed across the entire project from car park to kitchens.

“Fantech has been working with Custom Airconditioning for many years,” says Jesse Svigos, External Sales Engineer for Fantech. “Over the last 7 years, I have developed a very strong relationship with all the team at Custom Airconditioning and together we have developed a cohesion and understanding of operation between both businesses.”

Fantech delivered ventilation products spanning a number of ranges, from roof-mounted exhaust and supply fans to various types of in-line exhausts. Fantech worked closely with Custom Airconditioning to ensure all fans met the specifications of the project.

“We supplied ventilation fans for all of the common areas within Bunnings and the Mercure hotel above including kitchens, function spaces, bin rooms and gymnasium, as well as all hotel bathrooms.”

Fantech programmed and supplied a specialist exhaust and supply system for the basement car park that included JetVent fans with EC motor technology, and Direct Drive AP Series in-line fans that were both connected to an intelligent Aviator controller and CO2 sensors. Fantech also supplied fans for the buildings’ fire protection ventilation system including large smoke relief fans and stair pressurization fans for the emergency stairwells.

Like many projects Fantech is involved in, a complete solution was provided that allowed Custom Airconditioning to coordinate site deliveries with specific installation milestones and meet key project programming dates.

Prior to project completion, members of Fantech’s Intelligent Ventilation team attended the site with Custom Airconditioning technicians to assist with final checks and settings of both the basement car park ventilation and stair pressurization systems.

The Mercure and Bunnings development at Doncaster Hill was completed in late 2021, with both opening their doors to customers in December 2021.