The opening of Il Mercato Centrale is one of the most anticipated launches of the year, with the project having managed to capture the attention of the entire city.

Recently, the announcement came that Il Mercato Centrale finally has an opening date - and yes, it’s much sooner than initially thought.

Il Mercato Centrale is a successful gastronomic project of global renown, an icon of Italian culinary culture that has already won over Florence, Rome, Turin and Milan.

Established in 2014 in Florence, within the historic San Lorenzo market, Il Mercato Centrale quickly became a reference point for lovers of Italian cuisine.

The new Melbourne location is the first attempt to expand the project abroad.

“The passion for quality food and the boldness to try something new are deeply rooted in Melbourne’s cultural fabric,” said Gary Patikkis, the general manager of Il Mercato Centrale.

“[This culture,] combined with the significance of the McPherson building … [made] Melbourne the most obvious choice for the first Il Mercato Centrale outside Italy.

“We can’t wait to open and become a landmark in Melbourne’s vibrant food and hospitality scene.”

The historic Art Deco McPherson building on Collins Street has undergone a complete renovation for the occasion.

The building’s makeover was overseen by Italian architect Alberto Torsello, who chose to honour its traditional aesthetic by favouring exposed concrete and polished steel, paying homage to its origins as a hardware factory.

Inside, small producers and artisans will selling their high-quality products, showcasing local excellence and promoting Italian gastronomic culture to a constantly growing audience.

The 3500 square meter space, spread over three floors, will feature a total of 23 food stands offering a wide range of specialties, from cheeses to cured meats, wines to sweets and pasta to freshly caught fish.

The ground floor of Il Mercato Centrale will feature a market square with open kitchens for the public to watch artisans at work. There will be cheesemakers, a bakery, a pastry shop, a butcher and a handmade pasta shop.

The second floor will have several restaurants while the third will be reserved for private events, masterclasses and cultural events for the community.

Il Mercato Centrale won’t just be a market, it will also be a cultural meeting point with spaces designed to encourage social interaction as well as host events, presentations and meetings with chefs and food producers, in what will no doubt be a lively and dynamic place.

One of its goals is to create a community around quality food, while promoting a culture of sustainability and conscious consumption.

So, when will it be possible to actually experience it all? Soon. Il Mercato Centrale Melbourne will officially open its doors on Thursday, September 19, at 4 p.m.

“We’re thrilled with how the space is coming to life and can’t wait to share the authentic essence of Il Mercato Centrale with Australia,” said Patikkis.

“This project will not only bring an unprecedented cultural experience to Melbourne, but will also celebrate the rich tradition of Italian cuisine and hospitality through our food and beverage artisans.”