#9 Arbory, Melbourne, Australia

An old platform once used by Australia's first steam railway is now home to a chic establishment in the cultural hub of Melbourne where thousands of cafes jockey for the best cafe.

Arbory is a café, restaurant and bar situated between Platform 13 at Flinders Street Station and the Yarra River that runs along the south-eastern side of the Melbourne city grid.

Stretching 120m, it is the longest bar in Melbourne according to Australia's Good Food website.

Melbourne-based practice, Jackson Clements Burrows Architects, successfully managed the architectural challenges that come with a space just six metres wide and have used timber with a simple design to make best-use of the space.

Already a fan amongst locals since its opening in early 2015, Arbory provides a respite from the bustling city yet it is only moments from the city's prominent train station Flinders Street.

Seating is assembled along the 'walk-through' style cafe and you can find bars and toilets at intervals along the strip. The architects have sensitively worked with the previous heritage elements of the old Sandhurst ridge train line and taken advantage of the line of Plane trees that are dotted along the riverfront to provide shelter and create a synergetic relationship with the environment.

In prime position on the North Bank, Arbory opens up a new vista and provides views of the popular Southbank restaurant-bar strip opposite.

Photos by John Gollings courtesy Jackson Clements Burrows Architects