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There are few places in Melbourne more universally ignored than that stretch of concrete, weeds and general nothingness beneath Kings Way. It’s grey, noisy and about as inviting as a multi-storey car park at midnight – but not for much longer. The City of Melbourne has just unveiled fresh plans to transform the long-overlooked City Road Undercroft into a sprawling 5,000-square-metre public park – and it’s shaping up to be a pretty serious glow-up.
Positioned just a short walk from Boyd Community Hub and smack bang between the CBD, Crown Melbourne and the Arts Precinct, the undercroft has long been a place you pass through quickly without looking up (or avoid entirely). The new vision flips that script, turning it into somewhere you’ll actually want to spend time – complete with a whole heap of facilities (from bouldering walls to basketball courts) to keep you entertained.
Rather than disguising the underpass, the design leans into its industrial bones. The concrete will stay, but be softened with lighting, plants and activity to make the space feel safe, usable and – crucially – welcoming at all hours. Lord Mayor Nick Reece said it’s about “transforming an underutilised eyesore into a game-changing asset in the heart of Southbank”.
According to the plans, we can expect a street-style skate plaza, a winding roller rink, a dedicated “teen oriented play space”, bouldering walls slotted between concrete columns, plus basketball and netball courts. Not your speed? There will also be greenery-filled pockets and places to sit with a coffee and watch it all unfold, as well as upgraded safety features including lighting and CCTV cameras.
With $9.5 million in funding already earmarked and construction slated for late 2026, we're excited to see the project come to life.
You can find out more here.
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