Tuesday, October 2 — The premium coworking provider for growing businesses, Hub Australia, has today unveiled its second Melbourne coworking space in the historic Georges Building at 162 Collins Street. Occupying part of the mezzanine ground level and the entirety of levels two and three of the iconic building, the new space brings Hub Australia’s Melbourne footprint to over 10,000 square metres and 20,000 square metres nationally.
The newly opened site continues Hub Australia’s focus on transforming iconic buildings into premium coworking spaces and marks an exciting new chapter for one of Melbourne’s most well-known retail buildings. The coworking space will also create an opportunity for growing businesses to access the tightly held Collins Street address, without the traditional cost of a Collins Street location.
“The Georges Building is primely located in the heart of the Paris end of Collins Street and we’re excited to see it transformed from its retail roots into a thriving business community, driving innovation and connection in the Collins Street precinct. The premium coworking offering we’ve created is unrivalled in the area and we’ve seen keen uptake from tech, services and creative businesses that recognise the benefits of being a Hub member, such as increased networks, staff retention and ultimately business growth.
“The Hub Collins Street space is rich in history and character, and throughout the refurbishment we retained and celebrated the unique fabric and art deco features of the building. This combined with state-of-the art amenity such as a 50 seat café, boardroom and strategy room with views over bustling Collins Street, a fully operational member kitchen, fitness, relaxation and media rooms, cultivates an exceptional coworking offering,” says Brad Krauskopf, Hub Australia CEO and Founder.
Providing a business home for up to 600 members, Hub Collins Street has a variety of workspaces including bespoke offices, private offices and open plan dedicated and flexible desks. Targeting the growing corporate market or project teams, a bespoke office on level two overlooking Little Collins has 40 desks, including two internal offices. There are also additional offices ranging suitable for two to twenty-four people configurations.
The Hub Collins Street proposition is further elevated with the introduction of bespoke suites on ‘Georges Lane’, the original retail arcade on the mezzanine level. The space has been transformed into a laneway linking Collins Street and Little Collins Street, giving these premium business suites dual street access and a distinctly Melbourne laneway ambiance.
The nine bespoke suites on Georges Lane will enjoy a dedicated reception area and signage reminiscent of the building’s retail history. The fully secure and furnished offices, complete with custom designed cabinetry, are suitable for teams of 12 – 18 people and each come with internal meeting rooms or offices.
Architectural features in the building include the iconic atrium on level three that floods the two floors with natural light and exposed trusses and columns. Heritage features such as closed off fireplaces, original scaffolding and lift level indicators have been restored as part of the refurbishment, as well as art deco retail counters and display cabinets found in the building from its retail era restored and incorporated throughout the new fit out.
Additional amenity in the coworking space includes serviced meeting spaces and a state-of-the-art boardroom, parents’ facilities, soundproof phone booths, gym, premium end-of-trip facilities with complimentary towel service, generously sized lockers and bike storage facilities.
Centrally located in the CBD, Hub Collins Street is on the doorstep of exclusive shopping and renowned dining, as well as being walking distance to some of the CBD’s best green spaces, including Treasury, Fitzroy and Parliament Gardens.
Ease of access to the Hub Collins Street is sizeable, with direct access to the 11, 12, 48 and 109 trams and the Swanston Street tram corridor only minutes away. Flinders Street Station and the Future Town Hall Station are conveniently under a 10-minute walk away.
The Georges Building was once the prestigious shopping destination for Melbourne’s elite when it functioned as The Georges Department Store from 1889 and ceased trading in 1995.
For further details, please visit www.hubaustralia.com.
