It is believed the 14,000-square-metre seven-storey building, which has three floors occupied by the VACC, could fetch about $100 million. It is one of only 11 double-size sites on St Kilda Road.
VACC head of marketing, media, communications and publications David Dowsey said the organisation could remain in the building for up to three years after the sale.
He said no decision had been yet made about the next head office, though it would stay in the Melbourne CBD or fringe CBD area.
It was also too early to announce if the next building would be freehold or leased.
VACC House, at 464 St Kilda Road in Melbourne, is one of the largest office tower footprints on the street.
It was opened in September 1958 and the chamber became the first automotive association to own freehold property. It started as a three-storey building and expanded to seven storeys in 1970.
St Kilda Road remains a prestigious part of Melbourne’s CBD, known initially for its advertising agencies and major corporations.
But the ageing VACC building is now not fully tenanted as it faces stiff competition from far newer offices in the area.
VACC archives show the original three-storey building was officially opened by the premier of Victoria, Sir Henry Bolte on September 3, 1958.
To celebrate the occasion, there was an eight-page supplement in the Sun News Pictorial and a veteran/vintage car cavalcade down St Kilda Road from the Melbourne CBD, led by a de Dion, the first four-wheel car on the Australian market.
The second stage of the building added a basement carpark and seven office levels and Sir Henry was again enlisted to officiate on May 26, 1970.
Mr Dowsey said details of the building include its copper-coated Belgian glass – regarded as being irreplaceable today – and bluestone paths with a front garden, though the original fountain has long gone.
The foyer has chrome fittings and marble floors, walls and staircase, and enforces the chamber’s business with 13 panels of sandblasted glass with vintage automotive-themed drawings by Howard Beale, taken from photographs by Harold Paynting.
“The building holds about 120 VACC staff and has the president’s office, two board rooms, function rooms and a commercial kitchen and two bars,” Mr Dowsey said.
“The VACC regularly hosts dinners, some for hundreds of people.
“It is also home for the VACC’s commercial arm, OurAuto, which supplies products and services to automotive businesses around Australia.”
The 99-year-old VACC was founded on September 20, 1918 in Bendigo. Soon after its formation, it first leased rooms at 432 Collins Street and then in 1942, moved VACC House to Lonsdale Street before opening at the St Kilda Road address.
By Neil Dowling
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