In years past, some areas around the city and suburbs have gained a specific reputation based on production of goods and services. For example, a long time ago Bridge Road in Richmond was well known as an area for some serious bargain shopping as outlet stores littered the street. Nowadays you are more likely to get a trendy haircut at a salon or smashed avocado brunch at one Richmond's top 10 cafès.

Renovating, revamping or restyling a building isn't something new, but with progress on buildings comes change to business and this can flow onto an entire street, suburb or even a whole region. Below we list a few areas to look out for if you are looking to join other businesses just like yours.

Docklands

Heavily used as a dock, with an extensive network of wharfs, heavy rail infrastructure and light industry. Docklands has become a sought-after business address, attracting the national headquarters of companies such as NAB, Medibank Private, Bureau of Meteorology, National Foods, Bendigo Bank, and ANZ to name just a few. Contemporary Docklands is the product of an ongoing urban renewal project to extend the area of the Melbourne CBD.

Fitzroy

Formally a heavily industrial and working class area Fitzroy now houses a bunch of artisan companies producing some well-known Australian products. Fitzroy has gained a creative edge of late thanks to its galleries, artists and specialist stores. Keep your eyes out for converted warehouses and shop fronts with dwellings for your own business to move into.

Prahran/Windsor

This region just out of Melbourne CBD is best known for Chapel Street and Prahran Market. Greville Street, off Chapel Street, was once the hippie centre of Melbourne. These days the commercial properties that adorn the main streets of Prahran are a mix of fashion, luxury brands, homewares and restaurants. Sticking to its grungy roots Windsor is now known for being a treasure trove of vintage finds, eclectic eateries, boutiques and independent retailers.

Footscray

This western suburb developed into an industrial area in the second half of the nineteenth century. Over time though the manufacturing industry began to decline and now the ever-changing neighbourhood has a fascinating balance of a growing arts scene and a hotbed of international cultures and delicious cuisines. While many factories and warehouses are still to be found in and around the suburb of Footscray, some former industrial sites are being transformed into modern and up-market housing estates.

Richmond/Cremorne

Cremorne was formerly the home of iconic Australian brands like Rosella, Nylex and Bryant & May of Red Head matches fame. Today you are more likely to stumble across publishing houses like Wiley and Sons or Hardie Grant. Plus you will find head offices for companies like Country Road, Just Jeans, Mattel mixed in with many fashion, graphic and digital agencies.

Collins Street (Melbourne CBD)

Once reserved for the Big 4 banks and investment banks like Goldman Sachs, Collins Street has had a revolution of its own expanding its commercial spaces to include a full gamut of professional services such as recruitment companies, financial planners, auditors, migration services, legal services, marketing and IT. Of course Collins Street is also well known as a luxury shopping destination with brands like Bally, Coach, Prada, Louis Vuitton and more up the Paris end of Collins.