University Square is one of Melbourne’s oldest and most-loved public squares. It sits within a well-established, globally-renowned and growing area of mixed uses – including education, health, research, commercial and residential.

Bordered by Grattan, Barry, Leicester and Pelham streets in Carlton, University Square is now the doorstep to the new Parkville Station, which opened in late 2025.

The master plan was updated as the result of three drivers:

• The site context has evolved.
• City of Melbourne policies and strategies have progressed over the past seven years.
• The University Square Master Plan 2016 reached the end of its implementation plan in 2022.

Stage one is bordered by Pelham Street and Leister Street and was completed in 2019. Stage one of the master plan was completed in 2019, creating a large new open space, additional trees, bio-diverse garden and seating and terrace spaces. This stage included:

• expanding the park by approximately 2500 square metres, and reducing the total amount of asphalt within the square by over 3000 square metres
• constructing over 2000 square metres of biodiverse planting
• planting 76 new trees
• activating the edges of the park with seating and terraces
• installing 34 park benches in the lawn areas.

• a fully renewed plaza
• more than 2500 square metres of public open space for recreational and social activities
• new garden beds and lawn, providing the lush neighbourhood greening the community has been asking for
• approximately 130 new trees creating an additional 41 per cent tree cover, helping to create a cooler environment in summer
• street furniture such as chairs, drinking fountains, picnic tables and bike hoops
• public art
• integrated water management in Barry Street.

Barry Street was closed to traffic due to Metro Tunnel construction works and will remain closed now that Parkville Station is complete, becoming part of the park.

There are currently two disabled parking bays to the south of Barry Street which will be relocated in the local area.