Buchan has a long history with the Collins Arcade, originally designing the Australia on Collins building in the 1980’s, which links Collins and Little Collins Streets and forms part of Melbourne’s famous retail ‘ant-track’ – a network of laneways and streets that spans the CBD.

The 2011 refurbishment of the iconic 50-year-old building, Australia on Collins, led to challenges in planning, wayfinding, and tenancy mix, hindering the site from realising its full potential.

The recent repositioning of this pivotal Melbourne asset by Buchan, marks a departure from a ‘one size fits all’ design approach to retail planning, to a more ‘Melbourne-centric’ style which draws inspiration from the city’s famous network of intertwined laneways and hidden streets.

Buchan has designed a concise and streamlined retail plan, enhancing pedestrian flow, improving sight lines, and providing clearer vertical circulation to address the previously disconnected spaces.

Our design approach revolves around repurposing existing materials, uncovering the building’s history by stripping back areas, and introducing new uses into the space. The result is a multi-layered interior that fuses gritty and luxe – and feels unapologetically Melbourne. Externally, the ground plane facade originally design by ARM has also been retained.

Reflecting the city’s urban fabric, flagship tenants front the Collins Street entrance, embodying the glamour and prestige expected of a Collins Street address. Inside, boutique brands anchor the arcade to Little Collins Street and the connected laneways.

The basement level has been transformed into the entertainment epicentre of the redevelopment, with the advantage of direct access to Collins Street. A new coworking space on Level 2 serves as a central hub for city workers to connect and innovate, conveniently located near premium entertainment, F&B, and retail offerings below.