Historic Melbourne pub to anchor new $300m skyscraper

4 days ago 17

A $300m, 26-level student mega-tower with 892 beds is set to tower over the Great Western Hotel at 570 Little Bourke St as Melbourne’s rental crisis deepens.

A $300m student mega-dorm will tower over what remains of the Great Western Hotel, delivering 892 beds across 26 levels in Melbourne’s CBD.

The Little Bourke St project is one of the city’s biggest new student developments, as pressure builds in Melbourne’s rental crisis and demand continues to outstrip supply.

UniLodge executive chairman Peter Bates said demand for student housing was outstripping supply.
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“The demand for high-quality, purpose-built student accommodation continues to outpace supply,” Mr Bates said.

The focus has shifted to the pub.

The Great Western Hotel, which dates back to 1864, has already been largely gutted, with much of its interior removed and sections of the structure propped up, only its outer shell remains.

The Great Western Hotel, a Melbourne CBD pub dating back to 1864, before it was stripped back ahead of redevelopment at 570 Little Bourke St.

The remaining facade of the Great Western Hotel at 570 Little Bourke St, pictured in late 2025, will form the base of a new student tower. Picture: Google Maps

Critics have labelled the approach “facadism”. They argue it reduces historic buildings to hollow frontages, stripped of their character.

Supporters say retaining the facade is a practical compromise as Melbourne’s CBD evolves and density increases.

MaxCap head of equity investment Simon Hulett said getting projects away in the current market remained difficult.

“Activating new developments in the current environment is challenging,” Mr Hulett said.

UniLodge will operate the 892-bed Melbourne CBD student tower, with demand for purpose-built accommodation continuing to outstrip supply.

Preparation works are underway at 570 Little Bourke St as construction ramps up on the $300m Melbourne CBD student development.

Inside, the tower will feature shared spaces including a gym, cinema and study areas designed for high-density living, with students expected to move in from 2028.

The project will feature new retail and improved pedestrian links between Little Bourke St and Lonsdale St, transforming a long-overlooked pocket of the CBD.