Originally part of the bustling wharf district, the site was further developed in the 1890s and a number of the Italian influenced buildings from that period still stand today.

The Rialto complex we know today began to take shape in the early 1980s when Grollo Australia Pty Ltd acquired a 12 month option on the Rialto site as well as interest in the adjacent Winfield and Rialto buildings, recognising the potential of such a prestigious business address. St Martins Properties approached Grollo Australia with an interest in investing in Melbourne’s booming skyline and the Rialto Joint Venture was formed. December 1981 saw the first contract signed for development of the Rialto Towers with St Martins Properties as the Project Manager and Grollo Australia as the builders.

The first of 76 reinforced concrete caissons which form the support of the two towers was poured in August 1982. These foundations reach 20 metres below ground. As the building grew, it was encased in 22,000 panes of 6mm thick, heat-strengthened glass, which reflect the ever-changing skies. Rialto consists of one tower of 63 stories and another tower of 43 stories, towering 252 metres above bustling Collins Street. At the time of construction it was the tallest office building in the Southern Hemisphere, created from ninety-five thousand cubic metres of reinforced concrete.

The interiors of the building are equally impressive. All offices have a fully integrated modular suspended ceilings with purpose designed polished aluminium modular reflector panels, providing flexibility in subdivision and use. The interior design allows businesses within the tower to create a personalised touch to their offices.

Standing tall among the surrounding historic buildings, Rialto was opened on the 15th of October 1986, just five years after the Rialto Joint Venture was formed. The towers are a tribute to the sheer will and determination of the team who pioneered this architectural masterpiece at the heart of Melbourne.