Melbourne Walk, a groundbreaking mixed-use development located in the heart of Melbourne's premier retail district, has officially opened its doors to the public, marking a historic milestone as the first new development in Bourke Street Mall in more than half a century. The ambitious project, formerly known as The Walk, represents a sophisticated urban renewal initiative that seamlessly connects multiple existing buildings through an extensive network of pedestrian pathways.
The development encompasses an impressive 6,295 square meters of retail space strategically woven together across a 3,600-square-meter site. This prime location is bounded by four major thoroughfares: Bourke Street, Little Collins Street, the Causeway, and Union Lane. The site previously housed eight separate buildings, which have now been transformed into a cohesive architectural ensemble that maintains the character of individual structures while creating a unified commercial destination.
Buchan, the renowned architectural firm, took on the comprehensive responsibility of leading both the architecture and interior design for the entire project, including the hotel components, working on behalf of their client Steadfast Capital. Hayden Djakic, a senior associate at Buchan, emphasized that the development strategically leverages its premium position along Melbourne's well-established north-south pedestrian corridor, taking advantage of the natural foot traffic patterns that have developed over decades in this bustling urban area.
The project demonstrates exceptional commitment to heritage preservation through the careful retention and restoration of four heritage-listed facades. These historically significant structures include Diamond House and the Public Benefit Bootery, both located on Bourke Street, as well as the Allans and York buildings situated on Little Collins Street. According to the architects, this preservation approach was deliberately chosen to maintain the authentic sense of a collection of individual buildings while simultaneously consolidating the entire block into a unified and functional whole.
Djakic explained that the newly constructed facades were thoughtfully designed to draw inspiration from their historic neighbors, carefully reinterpreting traditional materials and geometric patterns. A particularly notable feature is the reinstatement of distinctive blade signs, which were once a characteristic element of the area's streetscape but had been lost over time. These signs now serve as a bridge between the development's contemporary functionality and its historical roots.
The architectural design reinforces the concept of separate buildings through an innovative internal network of new arcades and laneways that allow natural light to penetrate deep into the site. Union Lane has been carefully preserved to remain true to its original service-lane character, while new food and beverage establishments along the Causeway are specifically designed to support the area's emerging reputation as a culinary destination. The glass-roofed east-west cross lane incorporates traditional brick and bluestone details, creating a richly textured aesthetic that honors Melbourne's architectural heritage.
One of the development's most impressive features is a new nine-meter-tall arcade that creates a direct pedestrian connection between Bourke Street and Little Collins Street. This arcade was designed with proportions similar to Melbourne's famous neighboring Royal and Block arcades, ensuring architectural continuity with the city's established pedestrian infrastructure. Special design elements include gold-tinted skylights arranged in faceted geometric patterns, serving as a direct homage to Diamond House's historical significance as a central hub for Melbourne's jewelry trade.
The development houses a sophisticated dual-branded hotel concept featuring both Holiday Inn and Hotel Indigo properties, both of which are part of the InterContinental Hotel Group portfolio. Despite their shared ownership, each hotel brand has been designed with completely distinct visual identities and guest experiences. Together, these hotels provide accommodation for guests across 452 suites distributed throughout nine levels, all situated above a three-level retail podium that forms the commercial heart of the development.
Melbourne Walk officially welcomed its first visitors on September 8, representing the culmination of years of planning, design, and construction work. The opening marks not only a significant addition to Melbourne's retail and hospitality landscape but also demonstrates how contemporary urban development can successfully integrate with historical preservation, creating spaces that honor the past while meeting the needs of modern city dwellers and visitors.
