Description

Tucked beneath Federation Square, the bluestone vaults of Federation Wharf were once an overlooked slice of Melbourne’s waterfront. Now, they’re home to one of the city’s most iconic riverside spaces.

The Princes Walk Vaults were constructed for the City of Melbourne in 1889 as part of the major works involved in the construction of the new Princes Bridge. Dating back to 1850, the former bridge had to be replaced as part of the widening of the Yarra River to deal with flood problems, and to increased traffic from the southern suburbs.

In the 1990s, Six Degrees Architects helped kickstart Melbourne’s laneway revival, reimagining forgotten corners into places where people wanted to gather. That vision applied to the transformation Federation Wharf in 2003, where they adapted the old vaults into their offices (now Pilgrim Bar) and brought the river to life with Riverland Bar and an outdoor ping pong table that became a hot spot for competitive matches and good times.

This project bridges past and present, historic bluestone with new hospitality venues, and city life. It’s a story of adaptive reuse, urban renewal, and the power of design to turn forgotten spaces into thriving places.

What's On

Join Six Degrees founding director Peter Malatt for a guided walk through Federation Wharf and the story behind its transformation. Learn how a once-ignored waterfront became a lively social precinct and hear firsthand how Six Degrees reimagined the bluestone vaults into offices and a thriving hospitality space.

From the challenges of working with heritage fabric to the impact of reconnecting Melbourne with its river, this tour offers a rare insight into one of the city’s successful urban revitalisation projects. Expect stories, insights, and a new perspective on the spaces we pass by every day.