Melbourne Central is set for a noticeable skyline change in 2026, with plans underway to add two more storeys atop the iconic CBD retail and office hub.
The construction will get underway this year, adding to the centre’s almost 56,000 square metres of retail space.
The redevelopment will extend the existing structure above the shopping centre, creating additional space likely earmarked for a new major retail brand and an expanded food court, although those tenants have not been officially confirmed yet.
Construction is part of a broader push by owner The GPT Group to revitalise the centre and keep pace with shifting retail and dining trends in the heart of the city.
Work to raise the building adds height to the established Melbourne Central precinct, which already combines shopping, eateries and office space above the busy train station that serves thousands of commuters each day.
The expansion comes as part of a renewed focus on larger, mixed-use developments in the CBD, where retail venues are adapting to changes in how people work, shop and socialise.
Although the exact opening date for the new storeys hasn’t been confirmed, the upgrades are expected to be kick off in 2026, transforming parts of the familiar 1980s-era structure into fresh space that could draw more visitors in a retail landscape that’s increasingly competitive.
It’s one of several moves keeping Melbourne Central at the centre of the city’s day-to-day life, melding historic architectural cues with contemporary commercial ambition.
