Melbourne+Central

**History-**
The Melbourne Central shopping and office development was designed by a Japanese architect. It was built above Melbourne central train station between 1986 and 1991 at a cost of $1.2 billion. It is one of the biggest shopping centers in the Melbourne CBD. It covers two whole city blocks and is home to over 300 shops. The building itself is fully covered by a glass cone, the Shot Tower, which was built in 1888 to make "shot", perfectly shaped balls of lead by dropping hot metal from a big height into cool water. It was completed in 1888 and is 50m high, and has 327 steps to the top. The building was saved from demolition in 1973 and was incorporated into the vast shopping complex in 1991 underneath a glass roof. Melbourne Central finally opened in 1991 but never became profitable for it's owners. In 2002 they decided to do renovations and the plan was to open the complex to more natural light and new street front shopping strips. This has dramatically changed the success of the center. Recently, a museum called the Shot Tower Museum has been set up inside of the tower.

**Shopping-**
Melbourne Central shopping offers many styles of food, fashion, culture and entertainment. It is has become a place for top Australian designers and international brands and their best stores. There is enough to satisfy everyone, shopaholics or window shoppers. It is a busy and really interesting place. On any shopping day, the place is full with shoppers moving through the passages between the shops. People in colorful attire, bright lights from the stores, all add to the amazing atmosphere. It is not hard to imagine spending time here exploring all the delights on offer. My favourites are the Jewellery stores with their sparkling gems and of course the wonderful fashions.

Some of the most popular shops include: -Country Road -Calvin Clein -Witchery -General Pants Co. -Gasp -Just Jeans -Lacoste -Alannah Hill -Gorman -Mimco -Portmans -Seafolly -Sportsgirl and many, many more....