40 Years of Rialto

Celebrate 40 years of rialto

40th Anniversary

Wednesday 20 – Thursday 21
August 2025

Rialto turning 40 is a milestone worth pausing for. Four decades of shaping Melbourne’s skyline, welcoming businesses, and evolving with the city. This year marks not just an anniversary, but a celebration of a building that continues to redefine what a landmark can be.

Rialto over the years

1885

The Robb Building, designed by Thomas Watts and Sons was built—a grand classical styled 5-storey Victorian office building and one of the largest in the city at the time.

1890-1891

Two interwar buildings, the then Rialto Building (designed by William Pitt) and the Winfield Building (designed by Charles Debro & Richard Speight) was constructed amongst the historic streetscape along Collins Street running up to the 1880s Olderfleet Building to the east.

1960–1970

National Mutual Life Association of Australasia purchased the various historic buildings on the site.

1974

The Rialto and Winfield buildings were listed by the new Historic Buildings Preservation Council, and the National Trust of Victoria opposed the demolition of other buildings on the site.

1980

The site was acquired by Grollo Australia in a joint venture with St Martin's Properties.

1982

Grollo Australia wins bid to begin construction on The Rialto Towers.

1985

Rialto under construction.

1984–1986

Early tenants moved into the lower floors while the upper floors were still under construction.

1986

Designed by architects Gerard de Preu and Partners in association with Perrott Lyon Mathieson, the building construction completes and opens its doors.