SOAK Bathhouse confirmed for Emerald Place, South Melbourne, opening August 2026
SOAK Bathhouse has been confirmed as a ground-floor tenant at Emerald Place in South Melbourne, with the venue scheduled to open in August 2026. The site at 182 to 200 Clarendon Street forms part of a $160 million mixed-use development led by Lowe Living and INT.RE.
The SOAK Bathhouse location will become the brand’s second site in Melbourne, following its South Yarra opening in 2025. It will occupy a 459 square metre corner tenancy within the development, alongside two additional retail spaces, commercial offices and 38 residential apartments and penthouses.
The venue will include a mineral pool, cold plunge, saunas and steam room. The operator has also confirmed that greenery will be integrated throughout the bathing areas, consistent with its existing locations.
Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said the partnership aligned with the project’s design approach. “ SOAK Bathhouse was a natural fit for Lowe Living and specifically Emerald Place. Their approach to contemporary bathing and social wellness strongly aligns with our vision of creating homes that prioritise long-term health, connection and lifestyle.”
The facility is intended to service both residents and the surrounding South Melbourne workforce. Penthouse buyers will receive complimentary memberships, while other residents will be offered discounted access as part of the development’s amenity structure.
Wellness integration expands across Melbourne developments
The Emerald Place agreement forms part of a broader strategy by Lowe Living to integrate wellness operators into residential developments across Melbourne. The developer has also partnered with Aurora Spa and Bathhouse on projects in Camberwell and Brighton.
Tim Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said the inclusion reflects changes in buyer expectations. “ This partnership reflects the continued evolution of luxury residential development. Today’s buyers are looking beyond finishes and floorplans and investing in holistic living environments, not just inside their apartments but in the communal and wider local amenity offerings, too.”
SOAK Bathhouse has expanded nationally since launching in Mermaid Beach, with locations across Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne. The brand focuses on social bathing experiences that combine thermal facilities with contemporary design.
Alexis Dean, CEO and Co-Founder of SOAK Bathhouse, said the South Melbourne site will extend that approach. “ With South Melbourne, we wanted to create a place where the community can gather, build rituals, and experience wellness in a way that feels social, welcoming and part of everyday life.”
Data from the Global Wellness Institute places Australia’s wellness industry at USD126.7 billion. The institute also reports thermal and mineral bathing has increased by 21.5 percent, reflecting ongoing demand across the sector.
