Melbourne’s CBD is home to dozens of established architecture firms, ranging from large multidisciplinary studios to smaller boutique practices. Some of the most active firms include Bates Smart, Hassell, Woods Bagot, Architectus, and Fender Katsalidis, all of which maintain CBD offices and handle projects across commercial, residential, civic, and interior sectors. Many of these studios have shaped the city’s skyline and continue to win state and national awards through the Australian Institute of Architects.
Major Firms With CBD Offices
Bates Smart operates from Collins Street and is known for large-scale commercial towers and premium residential buildings, including work on 35 Spring Street and various hotel projects. Hassell, based on King Street, works across urban design, transport infrastructure, and workplace interiors, with an Australian and international portfolio. Fender Katsalidis, whose name is on projects such as Eureka Tower and the National Gallery of Victoria’s contemporary art expansion, is headquartered in the CBD near Flinders Lane. Woods Bagot covers commercial and higher education work from its Melbourne base, and Architectus handles civic and mixed-use commissions, including contributions to the State Library Victoria renewal.
Specialisations to Consider
Not all CBD firms cover every building type. Some studios focus specifically on residential apartment towers (such as Plus Architecture and Elenberg Fraser), while others concentrate on heritage and adaptive reuse work. Peddle Thorp has a long record in commercial and hospitality projects. Cox Architecture handles civic and sports venues. If your project involves a listed heritage building, firms with dedicated heritage teams, such as Lovell Chen, are worth prioritising. Lovell Chen operates from the CBD and specialises almost entirely in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse across Victoria.
How to Choose the Right Firm
Project type, scale, and budget are the three filters that narrow down a shortlist fastest. The Australian Institute of Architects maintains a publicly searchable directory at architecture.com.au where you can filter by location and specialisation. Most CBD firms publish their full project portfolios online, so reviewing built work in a similar category to yours is a practical starting point. For projects requiring planning permits in the City of Melbourne, choosing a firm with direct experience lodging applications through the City of Melbourne’s planning portal can reduce delays. Fees vary widely: small CBD studios may charge hourly from around $180 to $250, while larger firms typically price by percentage of construction cost, commonly between 8 and 15 percent for full-service residential or commercial work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there architecture firms in Melbourne’s CBD that handle small residential projects?
Yes. While many of the larger CBD studios focus on commercial and multi-residential work, firms such as Breathe Architecture and Austin Maynard Architects (both Melbourne-based) take on smaller residential commissions. Searching the AIA’s directory filtered to Melbourne and “residential” will return practices suited to single-dwelling or small-scale work.
Do I need a registered architect for my project in Melbourne?
In Victoria, architects must be registered with the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) to use the title “architect”. Registration is legally required for most commercial and multi-storey residential projects. You can verify any firm’s registration status through the ARBV register at arbv.vic.gov.au.
Where can I find reviews or past work for Melbourne CBD architecture firms?
The AIA’s website lists award winners by year and region, which is a reliable indicator of recognised work. Individual firm websites publish project case studies, and planning permit applications (including architect names) are publicly searchable through the City of Melbourne’s online planning map.
