Crown Melbourne gets AU$200m renovation, its largest in the past 30 years

• Crown Melbourne unveils its largest redevelopment in 30 years, pledging a sweeping upgrade of dining, entertainment, and public spaces
• The project will introduce new restaurants and bars, reimagine the iconic Riverwalk, and relaunch The Palms as the 1,250-seat Crown Live Theater in 2026
• The renovation includes major solar installations and green upgrades aimed at cutting emissions by 23% by 2027

Crown Melbourne is going to undergo a redevelopment program, its largest in the past 30 years, which will cost the property AU$200m to complete - roughly $142m.

In a statement, the company said that it is embarking on a far-fetching refurbishing and renovation of its facilities, expanding and overhauling existing premises.

Among the immediate plans are 15 new restaurants, bars, and eateries, along with a facelift of the property’s iconic Riverwalk.

Crown Melbourne CEO Ed Domingo has welcomed the news and spoken highly of what it would all mean:

"This significant investment in new dining, entertainment, and the iconic Riverwalk will cement Crown’s place as the ultimate destination for food, fun, entertainment, and late-night energy."

The resulting renovation will also create an enhanced public open space, which will feature outdoor terrace dining and focus on green energy, achieving better sustainability.

Among the facilities that will be featured are a new riverside gastropub, which will be situated on the Yarra River waterfront. The Palms will be renamed to the Crown Live Theater in the meantime and launch in November 2026, hosting up to 1,250 people at a time, burnishing the property’s credentials as a top spot for international performers and theater residencies.

Crown Towers' lobby bar is also going to get treated, and the Crown Metropol’s 28th floor will be transformed into an exclusive destination for private events, expanding the property’s ability to cater to VIP clientele.

"Melburnians and our visitors have changed over the past 30 years – and this reimagining of our precinct ensures we continue to elevate our offering and deliver experiences fit for the next generation," Domingo added.

Crown is also looking to reinforce its commitment to sustainability by installing 500,000 square meters of two CBD blocks, which will join rooftop solar panels, battery storage, and other solar technology, which should help slash the property’s emissions by 23% by 2027.

The property will be phasing in the renovated facilities throughout 2026 and 2027.

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