Melbourne Central Shopping Centre facts for kids
Looking up to Coop's Shot Tower and the glass cone inside Melbourne Central
|
|
| Location | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°48′36″S 144°57′46″E / 37.81010045155592°S 144.96272228119798°E |
| Address | Cnr LaTrobe and Swanston Streets, Melbourne VIC 3000 |
| Opening date | 11 September 1991 |
| Developer | Kumagai Gumi |
| Management | GPT Group |
| Owner | GPT Group |
| Architect | Hassel with Kisho Kurokawa (1991), Ashton Raggatt McDougall (2002-2005 & 2010-2011) |
| No. of stores and services | 262 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 2 |
| Total retail floor area | 55,700 m2 (599,550 sq ft) |
| No. of floors | 6 |
| Parking | 880 spaces |
| Public transit access | Melbourne Central State Library of Victoria and Elizabeth Street Lonsdale Street |
Melbourne Central is a huge building in the heart of Melbourne, Australia. It's a popular spot for shopping, offices, and catching public transport. You can find it where La Trobe and Swanston Street meet.
Contents
History of Melbourne Central
Building the Centre
Early Days and Planning
The area where Melbourne Central now stands was once filled with small factories and shops. A very old building called the Coop's Shot Tower was also there. This tower, built in 1888, is still a special part of Melbourne Central today.
Work on the train station underneath the site began in 1971. The station, first called Museum Station, opened in 1981. It was the first station to open on Melbourne's City Loop train line.
Designing a Landmark
In the 1980s, a big plan was made to build a huge complex above the station. A Japanese company, Kumagai Gumi, helped develop it. The design changed a few times, but it always included a tall office tower and a shopping area.
A famous Japanese architect, Kisho Kurokawa, joined the design team. He helped create the unique glass cone that covers the old Shot Tower. Many old buildings were taken down to make way for this new project.
Opening Day in the 1990s
Melbourne Central officially opened its doors on September 11, 1991. It had 160 shops and many places to eat. A large Japanese department store called Daimaru was also a main feature.
The Melbourne Central Office Tower stands 210 meters tall with 57 floors. The shopping centre has six levels of shops. The historic Coop's Shot Tower, which is 50 meters high, became a central point. It is covered by an 80-meter-high glass cone, known as the "Magic Cone." This cone is one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Melbourne Central also had a special Marionette Watch. Every hour, little puppets would come out and perform a show with Australian birds like galahs and cockatoos.
Modern Changes in the 21st Century
Big Renovations in the 2000s
In 2002, the Daimaru store closed, leaving a lot of empty space. The owners, GPT Group, decided to give Melbourne Central a huge makeover. This $195 million project aimed to make the centre brighter and more modern.
New shops, entertainment areas, and a fresh food market were added. A new lower ground level was created, connecting to the train station. A 12-screen Hoyts Cinema opened in 2005, offering movies for everyone.
New Additions in the 2010s
More changes came in the 2010s. A new food court called the 'Dining Hall' opened in 2011. It offered many different food choices. A new fashion area, 'The Corner,' also opened, featuring popular clothing brands.
Fun places like Strike Bowling and B. Lucky & Sons (a gaming arcade and bar) were added. In 2019, a new dining area called ELLA opened. It offers high-quality food, inspired by train stations in Asia.
Exciting Updates in the 2020s
Even during the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, Melbourne Central kept improving. The lower ground food court, 'The Eatery,' got a fresh new look.
In May 2022, a large LEGO Certified Store opened. It features an amazing five-meter-long Lego model of a Melbourne tram, made from over 650,000 bricks! You can even create your own Lego Minifigures there.
In November 2023, Australia's first Monopoly Dreams indoor theme park opened. It has 15 attractions, including a 4D theatre, inspired by Melbourne's trams and street art.
Future Plans
In 2019, there were plans to build a new 12-storey office building called 'Frame' on top of Melbourne Central. It would have new shops, gardens, and dining areas. However, these plans were put on hold in 2020.
Shops and Fun at Melbourne Central
Melbourne Central has 55,700 square meters of space for all sorts of things. Some of the main places you can find there include:
- Coles Central (for groceries)
- Cotton On (clothing)
- LEGO Certified Store (toys)
- JB Hi-Fi (electronics)
- B. Lucky & Sons (arcade games)
- Fitness First (gym)
- Melbourne Lion Hotel (restaurant)
- Monopoly Dreams (theme park)
- Strike Bowling Bar (bowling)
- Hoyts Cinema (movies)
Getting Around Melbourne Central
Melbourne Central is a major transport hub. It's built right above the Melbourne Central railway station, making it easy to catch a train. There are also many tram and bus stops nearby.
Trams
Yarra Trams operates many tram services that stop near Melbourne Central on Swanston, Elizabeth, and La Trobe Streets. These trams can take you to different parts of Melbourne.
Buses
Many bus routes also serve Melbourne Central, connecting it to nearby suburbs. These buses are operated by Public Transport Victoria.
Parking
If you're driving, Melbourne Central has a large underground car park with 880 spaces.
Incidents
Melbourne Central is a busy place, and sometimes minor incidents happen.
- In November 2017, a fight occurred outside a cafe on level 3.
- In August 2019, a clash between groups of youths happened near the station entrance.
Images for kids
-
Main entrance podium, corner La Trobe and Swanston Streets after re-development.
-
Melbourne Central, Lonsdale Street entrance, below bridge to Myer Melbourne.
-
Underneath the iconic glass cone
-
Dining Hall Food Court
-
Various floors in central area. (2010)
-
The three levels of shops
-
The Marionette Watch
-
Photo of the Basement level in Melbourne Central looking towards Melbourne Central Station after refurbishment.
See also
- List of shopping centres in Australia
