Crown Melbourne is set to begin a sweeping AU$200 million (US$142 million) redevelopment designed to reposition the Southbank precinct as a broader food-and-entertainment destination, expanding beyond the casino floor with new venues, upgraded public space and a heavier emphasis on live events.
The program includes 15 new restaurants, bars and casual dining concepts, alongside a major revitalisation of the riverside Riverwalk promenade. Crown says construction is already underway on early components, with openings expected to roll out from 2026 through to mid-2027. The company estimates the works will create around 2,000 construction jobs across the life of the project.
A central anchor is the venue formerly known as The Palms, which will reopen as Crown Live Theater with capacity for 1,250 guests, targeting residency-style programming and touring productions. The theatre is scheduled to reopen in November 2026, giving Crown a larger year-round platform to drive midweek visitation and “late-night” spend.
The redevelopment also carries a sustainability package across Crown’s reported 500,000 m² footprint, including rooftop solar, battery storage and efficiency upgrades intended to cut carbon emissions by 23% by 2027—which Crown equates to removing roughly 4,700 cars from the road each year.
Additional upgrades flagged in reporting include a refurbishment of the Crown Towers lobby bar (timed for early next year) and a new private events offering on Crown Metropol’s level 28, positioned for weddings and corporate bookings with panoramic views—elements that strengthen non-gaming revenue and extend dwell time across dayparts.
