Cities – A Place for the People

As cities around the world open their doors to welcome back hungry and thirsty customers, they do so by introducing new and creative ideas to make customer feel safe – both hygienically and socially. City Centres (CBD’s) are where it all comes together. Our cities are increasingly diversifying their food and hospitality services by adopting an experiential approach, aimed at maximising happiness and positive memories. The list is growing and some of the following are now everyday experiential-destinations: café clusters, laneways, open streets becoming permanent fixtures, rooftops, night markets, Asian food halls, pop ups, food trucks, gin making and tasting classes, Yarra River pontoons, etc. Our CBDs are becoming powerhouses for the local economy. “The CBDs of Sydney and Melbourne alone are home to around 20 per cent of our national economy. 15 per cent of Australian jobs are generated in the hearts of our cities.”1

Food and hospitality both in the cities and suburbs are growing and will continue to grow as traditional locations (www.theoldsynagogue.com.au) are converted to new and exciting food destinations.

Leading the post-covid recovery; Australia like New Zealand, is well placed to write the blueprint for how our CBDs can further strengthen their food, beverage and entertainment offers. “The pulse of the CBD is quickened not just by business. Our CBDs also embody the spirit of our cities ­­– the dynamic shopping and dining experiences, the buzzing bars and laneways, the museums, galleries and pocket parks that bring us together and enrich our lives.”1

Currently there are several new food and hospitality anchors being developed; all within CBD locations. Inside AMP Capital’s Quay Quarter (re)development and urban regeneration project – Hinchcliff House opened in April. This multi-venue hospitality precinct in Circular Quay is one of the anchors of the Quay Quarter development – with all-day diners, restaurants and events venues coming online in a staged launch – this new inner-city neighbourhood spans over 11,000m2, two city blocks.

 Commercial Bay on Auckland’s waterfront launched last year as New Zealand managed its Covid response to the envy of the world. The downtown location has created a mixed-use commercial, retail, entertainment and hospitality precinct that demonstrates a future thinking development, anchored by a world class food and beverage precinct. This is a transformational development for the city and its vibrancy has re-energised the city’s waterfront and the lower Queen Street address, through well considered environments – a combination of urban design and hospitality.

In Melbourne, the activation of 80 Collins Street provides another example of confidence that our inner cities will remain relevant and at the forefront of our economy’s renaissance. The 5,000m2 retail and dining precinct at the top end of Collins Street, houses a luxury boutique hotel, high-end retail shops, and multiple food options – from the fancy to the fast-but-wholesome. Including the new endeavour from Chris Lucas, and Peruvian chef Alejandro Saravia, ‘Farmer’s Daughter,’ a 3-level dining and food experience, showcasing the abundant natural produce of Victoria’s Gippsland region. A great initiative that spotlights and celebrates produce sourced from local regional communities by bringing them to the big stage of the CBD.

 Hospitality heavyweights, Merivale Group this month announced their entry into the Melbourne landscape with the purchase of the 7-storey building, Tosmasetti House on Flinders Lane. Demonstrating confidence in the inner-city landscape and the future comeback of the Melbourne’s CBD economy. This acquisition will be a major drawcard, attracting passionate diners back to the food & hospitality living in our CBDs.

The hospitality industry defines so much of our vibrant culture and people will be drawn back to experience them. It’s all about people seeking positive-experiences and our CBDs are go-to destinations.

1.      Source:  Reimagining Our Economic Powerhouses: How to turn CBDs into central experience districts. Property Council of Australia and EY