Wesley Place comes alive

By Ellen Blake

Wesley Place, Lonsdale St’s newest lifestyle precinct, is now open to the public. 

Standing at 130 - 150 Lonsdale St, Wesley Place includes public green space, office towers and retail and culinary offerings.

Developed by Charter Hall, Wesley Place is one of only four green spaces in Melbourne’s CBD.

The Wesley Place urban park recently hosted an event as part of the City of Melbourne’s Melbourne Knowledge Week series, becoming the first outdoor hub in the festival’s history.

Charter Hall Victorian regional portfolio manager Nicole Ward said the revitalised precinct provided world-class offerings for the CBD community.

“Wesley Place is the perfect place to meet, connect, imagine and recharge,” Ms Ward said.

The Wesley Place development included a comprehensive restoration of the bluestone Wesley Church and outbuildings, including the Manse, Caretaker’s Cottage, Schoolhouse and Nicholas Hall.

The redevelopment of Wesley Place honoured the original neo-gothic architecture of the complex, first designed by renowned architect Joseph Reed in the mid-19th century.

To coincide with the precinct’s opening, Melbourne coffee connoisseurs Axil Coffee Roasters have opened a new cafe in the heritage Manse building.

The Manse building, first erected in 1859, has previously been used as a minister’s residence, the home of the Wesley Central Missionary’s programs and housed the offices of the Big Issue magazine. 

Axil Coffee Roasters managing director Dave Makin said Wesley Place “ticked all our boxes” for a new location.

“The revitalisation of the precinct is one of the most exciting new developments in Melbourne, with historic buildings and a new public green space at the front door of our new Manse café. All up it delivers a one-of-a-kind setting,” Mr Makin said •

For more information: wesleyplace.com.au