Melbourne’s newest fresh food precinct, Market Lane, will officially launch on Thursday 14th November with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Market Lane is a $70 million development, designed by lead architects, NH Architecture and interiors by Esquisse Design Studio as part of Melbourne’s indoor/outdoor shopping and entertainment precinct, The District Docklands. Spanning 9,500m2 and with 2,250 car park spaces on site, Market Lane is the largest supermarket based fresh food and convenience precinct within a 5km radius of Melbourne’s CBD.

Opening in 2008 under the name Harbour Town, the centre received a $150 million facelift after AsheMorgan took ownership of the site in December 2014 kickstarting a new strategy, new brand identity and transformative repositioning in November 2017, introducing features such as all-weather roofing, bluestone and timber flooring. Today, The District Docklands is home to more than 80 Australian and internationally recognised and loved brands including UNIQLO, H&M, Skechers, Kathmandu and Miniso, as well as an endota Wellness College campus, “leisuretainment” experience, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq and Australia’s most technologically-advanced HOYTS.

Hosted by Lee Chan (My Kitchen Rules, Lee Chan’s World Food Tour), Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood, Boon Wurrung Foundation CEO Gheran Steel and The District Docklands CEO George Karabatsos will cut the ribbon together, introducing Melbourne to the largest, most accessible fresh food and convenience precinct located within 5km of the Melbourne CBD.

“We’re thrilled to unveil Melbourne’s newest fresh food destination,” said CEO George Karabatsos. “Market Lane represents the cultural diversity of the city we live in, and is convenient, friendly and fresh – it’s a new one-stop shop for foodies right in the heart of Docklands Melbourne.”

Market Lane is designed to look and feel like an urban market

The precinct’s public celebration weekend is on Saturday 16th to Sunday 17th of November and will include live entertainment, giveaways, kids games and interactive workshops, fresh food exhibits and cooking demonstrations with MasterChef Winner and Channel 10 show host Emma Dean to showcase all that Market Lane has to offer.

Open until 7pm seven days a week, with the Woolworths supermarket open until 10pm, Market Lane is designed to look and feel like an urban market, focused on indulging the senses and fostering a sense of community and place.

Docklands’ Market Lane is set to become a key inner-city destination

“As a new Docklands resident, I know the area is still growing rapidly and it’s fantastic to see further investment in a new shopping precinct,” the Lord Mayor Sally Capp said. “Market Lane will provide Docklands locals extra choice for fresh produce and gourmet foods.”

The District Docklands boasts a densely-populated trade area with more than 50% of Melbourne’s population living within a 30-minute drive – the precinct’s retailers include Woolworths, Dan Murphy’s, Priceline Pharmacy, The Humble Baker, The Butcher Club, and MarketPlace Fresh. In addition, Empire Asian Supermarket and a number of eateries to open by the end of the year.

Since relaunching in late 2017, The District Docklands has evolved to become one of Melbourne’s most loved and visited destinations for food, shopping, dining and entertainment. The evolution of The District Docklands continues with plans for 6,000m2 of commercial space on Level 1 of the centre which includes updates to common mall seating, arrival points and end of trip facilities (350-500m2).