August 6, 2021 | By Joyce DiMascio
Metropolis Events is opening a chic new events venue in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
Located at 123 Queen Street, the 1,500m2 multipurpose venue, which can host gala dinners for 450 people, will be called Q Events by Metropolis.
It is expected to attract the corporate events, conference and weddings market accommodating up to 1,800 for cocktail receptions, opening and closing ceremonies.
Metropolis Events General Manager, Phil Williams says the design and fitout of Q Events by Metropolis are a nod to Melbourne’s art deco architectural history but delivered in a modern way.
The venue will open in September – COVID restrictions permitting – and has already taken bookings for both weddings and corporate events.
Its location in the heart of Melbourne will be one of its major selling points as well as its chic fitout and flexible spaces.
Williams says the venue has two distinct spaces and a cocktail area – operable walls to create two spaces, accessible street frontage, lots of natural light and premium five screen tech and AV installations. The site also has underground parking. Located in the building is a 30-room hotel and club not operated by Metropolis Events.
Metropolis Events General Manager, Phil Williams, who joined the business this year
Williams joined Metropolis Events in March to help steer the company’s expansion. It currently operates the hugely successful loft-style Metropolis on the Yarra River at Southbank.
He says the slowdown caused by COVID lockdowns had provided the owners and management team the opportunity to chart a course for the future.
“Hospitality is a difficult business at the best of times,” he says. “The current climate is what it is – how you adapt is what is important.
“Any business that doesn’t self-assess, is missing an opportunity. You have to take the opportunity to lift the boat out of the water, scrape off the barnacles, redesign and set sail.”
Williams attributes Metropolis Events’ success to their focus on innovation and to not having a cookie cutter approach to their clients.
“Every event, every client is different and we aim to produce events that are beyond clients’ expectations,” he says.
Williams says the September opening of Q Events by Metropolis will be a game changer. And with Melbourne now in its sixth lockdown, it’s good to hear some positive news about the investment in a new venue.
Williams says hard hat tours for clients had already commenced ahead of the planned September opening. We look forward to having a cocktail at its cool bar as soon as the COVID beast permits.