MBM Supports the City of Melbourne’s Adaptive Re-Use Development, the Make Room Project

The City of Melbourne’s Make Room project will change and save lives. The adaptive reuse development is a $28.1m initiative that delivers short-term housing and all-inclusive assistance to people without permanent accommodation. Located at 602 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne’s most vulnerable residents will call the complex home and have access to stable, secure living, as well as diverse on-site care. The high-rise building includes a 24/7 security concierge, 50 studio apartments, a dedicated floor for women impacted by domestic violence, and a full suite of support services.

Make Room was delivered collaboratively by the City of Melbourne, Homes Victoria, Unison Housing, the Victorian Government, alongside philanthropic and corporate organisations. Cohealth is onboard to provide residents with healthcare while the Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation will offer cultural support. The project reimagines traditional social housing with the commercial space’s transformation into a safe haven that directly tackles urban housing challenges.

MBM’s Senior Building Consultant Joe Bromwich provided the Council with a Schedule of Condition at the lease commencement and a 20-Year Asset Replacement Cost Forecast, aligned with each party’s contractual obligations. MBM’s Building Consultancy team used the Fulcrum platform to develop an in-house digital workflow tailored to Make Room’s requirements. MBM’s guidance equipped the City of Melbourne and Unison Housing with the insight needed to confidently plan for the building’s upkeep and long-term performance.

Reflecting on the project, Joe Bromwich shared:

“It’s rewarding to see how professionals in the built environment can contribute to tangible, life-changing outcomes. Make Room proves that real social impact can be achieved through sustainable developments and with strong stakeholder collaboration, innovation, and compassion.”

The Make Room project opened its doors in May 2025 and marked a new chapter in how Melbourne responds to homelessness: through integrated, community-focused design. MBM is proud to have supported the building’s resilience and commends the leadership shown by the City of Melbourne and its partners to uplift vulnerable members of the community.