About the Square

Situated opposite Melbourne Town Hall on Swanston Street, Melbourne City Square has long served as one of the city's most important public gathering places.

Established in 1980 as Melbourne's civic heart, the square quickly became known for its bold modernist design, public art and civic events. Among its most memorable features was Vault - the striking yellow steel sculpture by Ron Robertson-Swann. Unveiled in 1980, the work proved highly controversial, earning the nickname “Yellow Peril” before being removed from the square after just two years. Despite its turbulent reception, Vault has since become one of Melbourne's most iconic public artworks.

Over the decades, City Square has evolved alongside the city itself. Following a major redevelopment as part of the Metro Tunnel Project, the square reopened in 2025 as a revitalised public space above the new Town Hall Station. Today, it combines contemporary landscaping, cultural storytelling, public art and event infrastructure, continuing its role as a vibrant destination at the centre of Melbourne's civic and cultural life.