Description

Hidden down Globe Alley, Chinatown, a heritage-listed building now houses Crumpler’s new home, Bag House—a return to the iconic bag maker’s roots and a revival of local manufacturing in Melbourne. Once a raw industrial space, it has been transformed into a tailored workshop and office, reconnecting Crumpler with Six Degrees, who have a long history of designing Crumpler stores.

Purchased by Robert Bennett 1843, a hotel building was first constructed on the site by 1847. The site obtained licence and opened as the Globe Inn, with the current three-storey building constructed in 1858 as a rebuild. It operated as the Globe Hotel until c.1927 when it was taken over by the Victorian Society for the Protection of Animals and became Latham House after extensive alterations.

Today, the fitout preserves the building’s original character while meeting the needs of a modern production space, creating an inspiring environment for design, prototyping and fabrication. Exposed ceilings, light-filled workspaces, and dedicated zones for cutting, making and collaborating encourage creativity and craftsmanship. Bag House is a prime example of adaptive reuse, revitalising a once-forgotten heritage building into a landmark of Melbourne design.  

What's On

Join Crumpler director Dave Roper and Six Degrees director Simon O’Brien for a behind-the-scenes tour of Bag House, Crumpler’s new workshop and design HQ.

Explore the creative space where ideas become prototypes, see Crumpler bags take shape, and discover how a heritage building was reimagined for modern manufacturing. From bespoke lighting to adaptive reuse ideas, this tour reveals how architecture and craftsmanship can come together to create a home for one of Melbourne’s most recognisable brands, reflecting the tranquillity and sense of fun that is part of their design ethos.