The constant evolution of Melbourne: What’s new for 2024?

This article is brought to you in partnership with Melbourne Convention Bureau and  Business Events Australia. Without a doubt 2023 was a big year in Melbourne, with a plethora of new hotels opening, shooting the city to the title of largest hotel inventory in Australia. So what can business event planners look forward to in the coming year? The Melbourne Convention Bureau’s (MCB) CEO Julia Swanson shares insights into the everchanging landscape of Asia Pacific’s premier business events destination. “Looking forward into 2024, Melbourne will continue to deliver new options for business event planners, with several exciting new hotel and event spaces opening,” said Swanson. “One of the most anticipated hotel and meeting venues opening later in 2024 is 1 Hotel & Homes in Melbourne’s Seafarer’s Precinct, that will transform a once-forgotten stretch into a vibrant riverside destination for business events and incentive reward trips.” Once open, the sustainably designed 1 Hotel will boast 280 guest rooms and a 1000-seat function space, environmentally-responsible hospitality, a wellness spa and gym, spectacular lobby bar and waterfront views. It will also be the only hotel in Melbourne’s CBD to be serviced by a 3,500-square-metre public park. Although the number of new hotel and venue openings in 2024 can’t be compared to a mega 2023,  Swanson shared that futuristic Melbourne continues to be one step ahead. “There’s a flurry of construction underway including more world-class hotels, venues, and a reimagined Arts Precinct furthering the city’s appeal as a top destination for business events in the years to come,” Swanson added. For business event planners intending to hold a conference or meeting in 2025 and beyond, the yet-to-be-named major dual branded hotel and convention centre in Melbourne’s Docklands will be a superb option. A partnership between TFE Hotels and Capital Alliance, construction is set to begin early 2024 on the A$340 million development, which will offer a 1000-person capacity event conference centre located on a sky bridge that connects two accommodation towers (including Victoria’s first A by Adina hotel).

Combine this with the largest rooftop infinity pool in Australia, spectacular 360-degree views of the city, day spa, retail shopping and restaurant offerings, the centre will add another dimension to Melbourne’s high-end conferencing options. Meanwhile, the Melbourne Arts Precinct transformation is the largest cultural infrastructure project in Australia’s history. Expected to open 2028, the Victorian Government is investing A$1.7 billion to transform the precinct into one of the greatest creative and cultural destinations in the world. “It’s no secret Melbourne is the culture capital of Australia, and with the Melbourne Arts Precinct transformation underway, and big name restaurateurs preparing to launch sensational new venues in 2024, the city continues to lead and innovate,” said Swanson. This year Melbourne’s globally renowned dining scene will further expand, with multicultural dining experiences reflective of Melbourne’s equally multicultural vibe. Well-known Melbourne restaurateur Chris Lucas, the mastermind behind iconic venues such as Chin Chin, is launching a $10 million French-themed restaurant, Batard, on the Paris end of Bourke Street in the spring. Housed in a Victorian-era terrace, this exciting new foodie offering will span three levels plus a rooftop, oyster bar on the ground floor and a moody new basement space for late nights. While Sydney billionaire Justin Hemmes is also making a big leap into the nation’s foodie capital, opening his first Melbourne restaurant in heritage-building Tomasetti House on Flinders Lane later in the year, showcasing contemporary Chinese cuisine. Watch this space! Reflective of the city’s rich Italian heritage, the long-awaited Italian market hall, Mercato Centrale, is expected to open in 2024 in the heritage-listed Macpherson building on Collins Street, to home 23 artisans over two levels. While fine-dining star John Rivera is set to open a Filipino-inspired restaurant, Askal, in Melbourne’s CBD in early autumn, with private dining options available for events. On top of these delectable upcoming restaurant openings, 2023 also welcomed some brilliant new restaurants to Melbourne, including the lux Reine & La Rue housed in the original 1890-s neo gothic stock exchange, complete with a magnificent Cathedral Room that can seat up to 110 guests for private functions.   While the city continues to provide ‘new and different’ for business event planners and delegates alike, Swanson also expressed how regional Victoria brings excellent options to the table, particularly for small incentive programs, such as the opening of a boutique 33-room hotel opening at Levantine Hill Estate in the Yarra Valley this year, complete with a helicopter-landing area and plans for another 47-room lodge underway. Ask the Melbourne Convention Bureau for free advice and support Melbourne is a city that is constantly changing, evolving and innovating. On top of all these exciting future developments, business event planners are already spoilt for choice when it comes to the city’s unique and state-of-the-art venues, accommodation options, rich culture and accessibility. The Melbourne Convention Bureau offers free support to business event planners considering Melbourne for their conference, meeting, event or incentive programme. Get in touch or submit an event enquiry or find out more about how MCB can help with your next business event.