This October, Lucas Collective will open Wishbone — a new Hong Kong-inspired diner in Melbourne’s Midtown, and the first of two venues Chris Lucas will deliver within the 435 Bourke Street development. Positioned on McKillop Street, the project forms part of a broader precinct that we’re proud to contribute to, with hospitality playing a role in shaping how people move through and experience the city.

Working alongside Cbus Property, Bates Smart and Multiplex, the approach has been highly collaborative from the outset. Chris has been involved early in the project to help ensure the hospitality offering feels considered and integrated — supporting the rhythm of the precinct while contributing to the long-term character of Midtown as it continues to evolve.

“Midtown has always been an important part of Melbourne’s dining culture, and it feels like a moment where it can be reimagined for a new generation,” says Chris Lucas. “There’s a nostalgia to this part of the city — I remember spending a lot of time at places like the old Campari House, or having a drink at the Mitre Tavern after my first job — but it’s also about what it becomes next. With Wishbone, we’re drawing on the energy of Hong Kong street food, but ultimately creating something that feels like it belongs in Melbourne’s laneways.”

For us, Wishbone is also an opportunity to continue investing in Melbourne as a global dining city. The concept draws on the energy and spontaneity of Hong Kong’s street food scene, interpreted through a contemporary Melbourne lens, and will operate from lunch through to late evening. Leading the kitchen is Hong Kong-born chef Dan Chan, whose experience within the group and personal connection to Hong Kong have shaped the direction of the menu.

More broadly, the project reflects an ongoing evolution in how hospitality and development come together. We’re pleased to be part of that conversation, and to contribute two venues to the precinct, with further details on the second to be shared in the coming months.