About

260 Collins is Melbourne’s premier retail destination in the heart of the illustrious Collins Street precinct, boasting a unique mix of fashion and lifestyle within a place of luxury to inspire, create and experience, and a must-visit when in Melbourne.

Collins Street has long been dominant in shaping Melbourne’s cultural reputation in fashion and retail, and 260 Collins continues to transform itself into an exceptional location within the fabric of Melbourne.

Bringing together a considered mix of unique fashion and lifestyle, 260 Collins is a place of luxury set to inspire those who step inside. Walking through the Collins Street or Little Collins Street entrances, the precinct is what you make it, the opportunity to experience some kind of wonderful.

260 Collins is home to beloved retailers such as Cerrone Jewellers, Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer, cult favourite Birkenstock, and inconic SWATCH.

OUR DESIGN

Designed by ARM Architects, who was appointed to the 260 Collins redevelopment after winning a competitive design competition, the retail precinct is elegant and contemporary. Seamlessly integrating the sophistication of Collins Street with the gritty vibe of Little Collins Street, the design of 260 Collins steers away from the typical retail experience. Each level of the centre has its own design language, differentiating from floor to floor through spatial and material changes.

THE ICONIC LIGHTS

One of the most recognisable features of 260 Collins is the green sculptural lightscape that runs the entire length of the second-floor canopy, elegantly falling through voids at alternating heights to create a breathtaking centrepiece in the space.

This stunning installation also has a practical functionality; it effectively acts as a buffer between the internal area of the retail precinct and the Novotel hotel rooms that rise above, creating a boundary that segments these two spaces to provide privacy while maintaining a visual spectacle from above.

The lightscape is geometric in design, with thousands of freestanding LED glass bulbs hanging from the ceiling, mimicking leaves falling from trees.

The beauty of the twinkling emerald cylinders mean it is not uncommon to spot visitors with camera in hand, dazzled by the breadth of its form.

THE HISTORY OF 260 COLLINS STREET

1870 – The Collins Street block is the site of various hotels, including a gentleman’s club called The Yorick Club, the Gunsler’s Café Hotel and the City Club

1890 – The site is home to The Vienna Café Hotel, a highly fashionable place to eat and host business deals and meetings. The Vienna forms part of the fashionable Collins Street precinct known as “The Block”.

1939 – The 12-storey Hotel Australia is constructed and remains a very popular accommodation centre until it is demolished in 1989 to make way for Australia on Collins. Hotel Australia featured a twin screen cinema in the basement and a shopping arcade, Australia Arcade that was touted as the largest in the country.

1992 – Australia on Collins opens, boasting retailers such as Country Road, Jigsaw and craft supplier Lincraft. The centre closes its doors in 2014.

2016 – 260 Collins opens its doors to the public in May.