Hadid dropped from £720m Melbourne project in favour of Foster

Foster + Partners has reportedly replaced Zaha Hadid on an A$1.5bn (£720m) mixed-use development in Melbourne, Australia.

According to the Melbourne Age, Hadid’s involvement with the 250,000 m2 Collins Street scheme has ended, with Foster picking up the contract instead.

Hadid had been appointed to great fanfare in August last year to design the Collins Street scheme. It would have been the architect’s first project in Australia.

Developed by Middle Eastern investment company Sama Dubai, the scheme will involve the construction of an environmentally-friendly office-led development in Melbourne’s docklands. It will include a 60-storey tower and extensive water features.

Zaha Hadid Architects referred questions on the scheme to developer Sama Dubai, which was unavailable for comment.