Melbourne, Australia – Starbucks has reopened its Melbourne Central coffeehouse with a fresh look that blends local art and the city’s signature café culture.
Sitting at the corner of Swanston Street and La Trobe, the store now seeks to do more than pour coffee—the flagship store forms part of broader CBD revitalisation efforts, signalling the chain’s intent to anchor community spaces amid the city’s bustling core.
Beyond the balance sheet, the centerpiece is a striking double-wall mural by Ananya Ojha, a Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology graduate.
Drawing on Melbourne’s trams, the State Library, and the daily rhythm of students passing through RMIT Storey Hall, Ojha’s work layers native florals, architectural motifs, and coffee imagery.
“I wanted to capture that sense of energy and diversity while creating something warm and reflective of the community here,” she said.
The mural also introduces the “Siren Pulse,” a visual metaphor for the flow of Starbucks’ signature Siren into the neighbourhood’s constant motion.
Inside, the layout has been reimagined to prioritise connection and calm.
Comfortable seating, modern digital menu boards, improved lighting, and a bold colour palette create a retreat from the CBD’s frenetic energy.
“It’s more than coffee—it’s a space where the rhythm of the city meets craft,” noted by the company.
The refreshed store aims to become a community touchpoint, appealing to commuters, students, and visitors alike.
