Bold plan from Arbory owners to transform Flinder St station into entertainment hub
Flinders St Station could soon be home to a nightclub, bar and restaurant under an ambitious plan to transform the building’s administration offices. This is what’s in store for the Melbourne icon.
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A nightclub, bar and restaurant could open inside iconic Flinders St Station under a bold proposal to be floated with the state government.
The Herald Sun understands that the company which owns popular riverside venue Arbory Bar and Eatery wants to convert three levels of station administration offices into a diverse entertainment area.
It’s believed the concept could be similar to places like Cookie in the CBD, which has different food, drink and entertainment offerings over several levels.
While the idea is at a very early stage it’s understood that Arbory owner HQ Group would be open to contribute significantly to refurbishment of the dingy offices with one source estimating it could cost at least $100 million.
Authorities are aware that a proposal is being drafted but are still waiting to be presented with the concept.
Metro Trains, which manages the station, would have to be part of discussions along with owners Victrack and the Department of Transport.
The Department of Transport has confirmed that the government is investigating possible uses of the station administration building with any private or market-led proposals.
“At this stage, there are no plans or proposals before government to develop any spaces within the Flinders St Station building,” a department statement said.
“Flinders St is a Melbourne icon and we will continue to look for future opportunities for the building following the recent refurbishment of the station.”
The station is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, along with nearby areas such as Campbell Arcade, and any renovations would have to meet stringent standards.
Ideas to make more use of the 110-year-old station have been raised for decades, but have fallen by the wayside as the building fell into disrepair.
In 2015, the Andrews Government committed $100 million to refurbish the station by repairing and repainting its crumbling exterior and making the building the watertight.
Surging passenger numbers prompted authorities to install modern timetable screens, extra Myki readers and remove food kiosks to make more space on platforms.
A decaying ballroom has also been largely restored after years of water damage but authorities are yet to reveal what is planned for the space in the future.
Arbory Bar is one of the city’s most popular leisure spots, located at Flinders St Station on the disused Port Melbourne platform.
It also has the adjacent Arbory Afloat – a floating bar on the Yarra River that operates during spring and summer.
Arbory marketing and events manager Daniel Manly said he was currently focused on the Arbory Afloat venture but that HQ Group was interested in other opportunities.
“When the (Flinders St Station) property opens up to a design competition or anything like that, that’s when we would consider being part of something like that,” he said.
It comes as the Department of Transport has refused a freedom of information request for a report into retail and hospitality options for Flinders St Station.
The Herald Sun is aware that some years ago Public Transport Victoria commissioned Melbourne design firm Greater Group to recommend ways of improving the customer experience at the station.
The result was a comprehensive report with renders detailing proposals to optimise retail and commercial space and upgrade the station’s concourse area for other strategic uses.
However, the Department of Transport said the recommendations were not adopted by the government and release of the report would be contrary to the public interest.
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In a letter to the Herald Sun, the department said its release could revive public debate and speculation “on what should or could have been implemented as part of the $100 million Flinders St Upgrade Project and how those funds should or could have been allocated”.
“(It) may generate speculation that the proposals presented in the report are tacitly or implicitly supported or preferred by the government as part of long-term planning for the precinct,” it said.
The department was also concerned that its release could prejudice future commercial negotiations involving the station’s concourse area.