Southbank, Melbourne

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Southbank, Melbourne

 

The Southbank suburban area is in Melbourne, Victoria. It lies to the south of the Yarra River across

the central business district. Its western and southern borders are marked by Kings Way, Dorcas Street, Montague Street and the West Gate Freeway.

Southbank used to be an industrial zone, but in the early 1990s, in line with the urban renewal project, high rise office buildings and apartments were put up in the area. Most of the establishments have been redeveloped since, but many of them still remain in Southbank’s major cultural district towards St. Kilda Road. There are also old wharf and warehouses in the area that is now called “South Wharf”

The Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct is Soutbank’s central feature. It is retail and entertainment hub on the Yarra River’s southern bank where the famous sculpture Ophelia by Deborah Halpern is located. The icon represents Melbourne. It is a big “Y” symbol near the Bear Brass café. Southgate extends

along the river to include the Crown Casino.

Southbank is home to many modern office and residential buildings. However, it also has several heritage buildings particularly in the Arts precinct along St. Kilda Road. These buildings include the Victorian Arts Center, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Victoria Barracks, the Malthouse Theater,

and some portions of the Victorian College of Arts. Another popular heritage establishment is the James Bond Store, which was built in 1888 in the Southbank Boulevard.