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Southbank was already on track for a glow-up, with the infamous Red Stairs officially scoring a $1.7 million redesign. Now, there’s more in store for the inner city precinct, with plans for a sprawling new $3.5 billion Melbourne Square precinct recently revealed. Set to rise at 7 Hoff Boulevard, ‘Aura’ is no shrinking violet. The $800 million tower will climb 67 storeys high, housing 673 luxe-as-heck apartments and some super impressive indoor and outdoor communal spaces.
According to the team (Malaysian developer OSK Property), this isn’t just another shiny tower chasing skyline clout. Apartment-wise, we're looking at designer residences: Japanese-inspired minimalism meeting the raw, grounding textures of the Australian landscape – all soft light, natural materials and super bougie features.
Aura’s big sell is its “vertical wellness ecosystem” – a multi-level approach to living that puts physical, mental and social wellbeing front and centre. On level seven, the Aura Club is on track to be a wildly impressive lifestyle precinct, complete with indoor pool, cold plunge, spa, sauna, steam room, gym, pilates studio, yoga room, plus a golf simulator, music rooms and co-working spaces.
Outdoors, we can expect Japanese-inspired gardens, complete with a tea house pavilion, fire pit and open-air dining spaces. Higher up, things only get more indulgent. The Meridian Club (levels 49–50) will lean into socialising with lounge bars and private dining rooms, while the top-tier Cumulus Club (levels 66–67) will be all about elevated living – think private spa facilities, meditation and sound therapy rooms, and sky-high views stretching across the CBD, Arts Precinct and beyond.
Designed by Cox Architecture, the building takes cues from both New York’s iconic high-rises and Tokyo’s skyline, resulting in a sleek, grid-like form. Interiors, led by DKO, will take a more poetic approach – rooted in seasonal rhythms and natural light.
Beyond the residences, Aura will add around 1,600 square metres of retail space, while plugging directly into Melbourne Square’s existing ecosystem – including Kennedy Park, a full-line Woolworths and a growing line-up of cafés, restaurants and community spaces.
Construction is currently slated for late 2026. You can find out more about the project and register your interest over here.
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