STREAT are a foodservice social enterprise that provide industry training and work experience with social support services for homeless young people across Melbourne. In 2013, a key STREAT supporter purchased Cromwell Manor in Collingwood and gifted its use to STREAT for 50 years. The goal was to develop it into a flagship site where STREAT would train and support 365 young people each year.

Architects Six Degrees, prepared plans for the property that took into consideration the building’s heritage, while adapting a contemporary design to ensure the building incorporates a range of functions including STREAT’s new head office space.

Hansen’s urban planning team worked closely with STREAT and Six Degrees to prepare a planning application for an employment training centre and café serviced by an on-site artisan bakery and boutique coffee roastery. Hansen saw a real opportunity for this site to become a vibrant community hub within an evolving mixed use precinct, able to host community activities on weekends including bike repairs, community stalls or markets.

The town planning application was approved by City of Yarra within three months with STREAT HQ opening its doors to the public in September 2016.