A Fresh Look and Local Artistry Mark the Reopening of Starbucks Melbourne Central
The refreshed space celebrates the city’s creativity, community and café culture.
Starbucks Australia has reopened its Melbourne Central coffeehouse, unveiling a refreshed space that celebrates the city’s creativity, community and café culture. This coffeehouse is part of a broader revitalization of Melbourne Central Business District (CBD), reinforcing the company’s commitment to creating inviting spaces that inspire connection and community.
Situated at the corner of Swanston Street and La Trobe, the remodeled store welcomes customers with a warm, contemporary environment anchored by a striking new double wall mural created in partnership with local artist Ananya Ojha, a talent from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).
A Mural That Captures the Pulse of the City
The centerpiece of the reopening is Ojha’s bespoke artwork, an immersive visual story inspired by her time observing the ebb and flow of daily life around Melbourne Central. Drawing from the iconic movement of Melbourne trams, the architectural presence of the State Library of Victoria, and the constant energy of students through RMIT Storey Hall, the mural reflects the vibrancy and diversity that define the area.
Ojha layered these inspirations with native florals, architectural motifs, and the coffee plant itself—bridging the story of Melbourne with Starbucks coffee heritage.
“I wanted to capture that sense of energy and diversity while creating something warm and reflective of the community here,” Ojha shared. “Bringing together native florals, architectural elements and the coffee plant allowed me to connect the story of Melbourne with the story of Starbucks in a way that feels natural and contextual.”
The artwork also brings to life the concept of the “Siren Pulse,” symbolizing the flow of energy from Starbucks iconic Siren into the dynamic corner of the city and the students, commuters, and visitors who pass through it each day.
The collaboration is part of the Starbucks global art program, which connects local artists around the world with neighborhood coffeehouses to create works that foster cultural connection and a sense of belonging.
A Coffeehouse Designed for Connection and Calm
Inside the newly reopened space, customers will find a thoughtful reimagining of the coffeehouse environment with a more intuitive layout, comfortable seating, modern digital menu boards, improved lighting, and a bold, youthful color palette that creates a warm and welcoming haven amid the bustle of the precinct.
A Renewed Space Where Community Meets Craft
With its revitalized design and meaningful integration of local art, the new Melbourne Central Starbucks aims to be more than just a place to enjoy coffee—it’s a space designed to reflect the rhythm of its neighborhood and the people who bring it to life.
