People’s Coffee 440 Collins Street
Melburnians are serious about their coffee and Studio Tate has taken that to heart with this project. In the middle of the city’s bustling CBD, the lobby of 440 Collins Street has been reimagined as a contemporary hub dedicated to the daily brew.
Designed in collaboration with Lendlease for operator People’s Coffee, the result is a slick and inviting multi-use precinct focused on community and connection – and, of course, coffee.
The 440 Collins Street building was originally designed by Yuncken Freeman in 1965 and is a hallmark of Melbourne’s modernist architecture. Studio Tate has embraced this history, responding to the building’s structure with an assured design that sits within its distinctive grid-like columns.
“Sensitivity to context and existing conditions was key to the project’s success,” says Emily Addison, associate director of Studio Tate. “We aimed to create a design that seamlessly integrated into the base building and served as a beacon to the street, attracting commuters and lunchtime crowds.”
Outdoor tables with umbrellas and a bench along the facade offer a quick place to sip for those on the go, while the warm and welcoming interior is also balanced with a sleek, urban coolness to complement the bustling location. The centrepiece is the bold stainless-steel kiosk, flanked by curved mirror-polished columns and an illuminated canopy, combining space-age elements with retro flair.
The colour palette references renowned Melbourne artist John Brack – notably the precise lines, muted sepia tones and geometric forms of his 1953 painting Men’s wear. The dining zone leans into this nostalgic atmosphere with oak timber panelling, opal glass linings and timeless pieces, such as Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7 dining chairs. Warm materials such as Carrara marble, burgundy upholstery, hand-glazed finger tiles and walnut furniture add an air of sophistication and elegance.
The striking sky-blue ceiling in a gridded pattern gives the space a playful lift – and earned the project a place on the 2025 Dulux Colour Awards shortlist. A mirrored wall trim “gives a sense of this gesture continuing endlessly,” says Addison, while mirrored bulkheads cleverly conceal existing infrastructure and services.
People’s Coffee describes itself by this simple mantra: “We’re for the people.” Studio Tate has captured that ethos, turning the lobby into a “third space” that supports a variety of needs throughout the day. In the rear lounge, plush banquette seating and communal tables with charging ports provide informal zones for workers and visitors to gather, work or recharge – both themselves and their devices. People’s Coffee at 440 Collins Street reflects Studio Tate’s expertise in delivering refined, contextually aware design, as they articulate a space that feels quintessentially Melbourne.
Interior design by Studio Tate. Build by Buildcorp.
