City Precinct | Melbourne

On Level 2 of the Nicholas Building, José Zarpan quietly continues a craft he has practiced since his teenage years: creating beautifully tailored clothing with patience, skill and care. José grew up in Etén, a small town in northern Peru. Life was difficult. His father had left to find work, and as the eldest child José helped support his family. At nine years old, his mother introduced him to a local tailor, sparking what would become his lifelong calling. At fourteen, with a train ticket funded by his grandfather, José left home alone for Lima. He joined a tailoring workshop where his cousin worked, spending his first year cleaning, running errands and learning discipline. Eventually, a master tailor offered him an apprenticeship. By seventeen, he had completed his training and continued seeking out new mentors, driven by curiosity and a desire to improve. José spent years working for tailors across Lima until love changed his direction. When his future wife’s family moved to Australia, José followed. At twenty-three, speaking no English, he arrived in Melbourne and found work within days as a machinist in Collingwood. A chance encounter with a Toorak boutique changed everything. Asked to make a women’s jacket despite never having done so before, José accepted the challenge. The result impressed the owner so much that he stayed for ten years, later expanding his skills through boutiques in Camberwell and Chapel Street. In the early 2000s, José purchased an alterations business in the city and began offering bespoke tailoring. His reputation grew among professionals seeking clothing made properly and built to last. José’s connection to the Nicholas Building came through former tenant Denise Rook of Buttonmania, who offered him space when his previous lease ended. Around a decade ago, he moved in and has remained ever since. Today, his atelier is part workshop, part showroom; filled with fabrics, mannequins and garments crafted from English wool, Italian textiles and Peruvian alpaca. His work ranges from alterations to made-to-measure pieces designed for engagements, boardrooms, milestones and everyday confidence.

Thank you for joining us to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Nicholas Building! It was a truly special evening; with a fantastic turnout; a classy and elevated atmosphere; and a setting that made for great conversations and genuine networking. It was wonderful to see so many tenants; members; friends; supporters; and guests come together to honour the building’s rich history and the creative community that continues to make it so distinctive today. If you have missed The Age article, google The Nicholas Building to find it. For City Precinct; the evening was also a meaningful opportunity to reintroduce ourselves to Nicholas Building tenants and to celebrate the people and businesses who give this iconic place its energy; character; and reputation. A special thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the night such a success - Claire and her team from Flinders Lane Gallery worked tirelessly the entire evening and for weeks prior. Thank you to Allard Shelton for the financial contribution to support the night - with your help we could get fabulous catering from Brunetti’s and run our bar. In addition our special guests Sarah Witty MP; David Davis MP; Councillor Rafael Camillo and Sara Quon from the City of Melbourne.

Lace up your runners and join us for a relaxed and social Free Fun Run Time Trial at The Tan 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ /u49mkkoy Whether you’re chasing a PB; keen for a casual jog; or just fancy a scenic walk with good company; this one’s for you. 📍 Location and Date: Saturday 2 May, Pillars of Wisdom. The Tan Track, Melbourne. ⏱️ Timing: Be there by 0725; old school timing style with a classic human sized Seiko Timer for a bit of nostalgic athletics charm 👟 Choose Your Distance: • 1 Lap = 4km • 2 Laps = 8km • Walk; jog; or run at your own pace We’re teaming up with the fantastic Victorian Road Runners; so expect a lively crowd of around 50 to 100 people ready to stretch the legs and enjoy a great morning out. 🍰 After the run; stick around for light food and post-run chats courtesy of Brunetti Oro; one of our wonderful City Precinct members. This is all about community; movement; and a bit of fun. If turnout is strong; we may even make this a monthly event 👀 Bring a friend; bring your runners; and bring your best “I definitely trained for this” attitude 😄 We’d love to see you there! /u49mkkoy

Lace up your runners and join us for a relaxed and social Free Fun Run Time Trial at The Tan 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ /u49mkkoy Whether you’re chasing a PB; keen for a casual jog; or just fancy a scenic walk with good company; this one’s for you. 📍 Location and Date: Saturday 2 May, Pillars of Wisdom. The Tan Track, Melbourne. ⏱️ Timing: Be there by 0725; old school timing style with a classic human sized Seiko Timer for a bit of nostalgic athletics charm 👟 Choose Your Distance: • 1 Lap = 4km • 2 Laps = 8km • Walk; jog; or run at your own pace We’re teaming up with the fantastic Victorian Road Runners; so expect a lively crowd of around 50 to 100 people ready to stretch the legs and enjoy a great morning out. 🍰 After the run; stick around for light food and post-run chats courtesy of Brunetti Oro; one of our wonderful City Precinct members. This is all about community; movement; and a bit of fun. If turnout is strong; we may even make this a monthly event 👀 Bring a friend; bring your runners; and bring your best “I definitely trained for this” attitude 😄 We’d love to see you there! /u49mkkoy

Lest We Forget

Off the back of our successful Nicholas Building 100 Year Anniversary Celebration; we're delighted to invite you to a smaller; more intimate gallery opening at Stephen McLaughlan Gallery. /event/exhibition-opening-at-stephen-mclaughlan-gallery-179673/ Respected Geelong artist and educator Stephen Wickham has assembled a group of local artists, engaged in ongoing explorations of reductive, geometric, abstraction. The resulting exhibition has been carefully curated to celebrate and showcase this particular sub-genre of contemporary practice - 10/2026. The Stephen McLaughlan Gallery is proud to be the host venue and is looking forward to discover what the ten artists are bringing to the table, in this instance: SUSAN ANDREWS LOUISE BLYTON PETER BROOK TRACEY COUTTS PETALIA HUMPHREYS WENDY KELLY SIMON KLOSE MAX LAWRENCE WHITE WILMA TABACCO STEPHEN WICKHAM Our next project is the Melbourne Makers Market to be held at City Square. We are currently seeking Expressions of Interest from makers; so please share with anyone who may like to be involved: /​ Please sign up for a City Precinct Membership here​ to book a ticket. /event/exhibition-opening-at-stephen-mclaughlan-gallery-179673/

Supanova Comic Con & Gaming is Australia's home of pop culture fandom, bringing together fans of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, gaming and nostalgia. Meet Supa-Star guests, explore exciting exhibitors, discover collectables and celebrate cosplay in an immersive weekend experience. If you missed out, come to Comic Con at @mcec Sat 6 June - Sun 7 June, 9:00am - 5:00pm Step into the extraordinary world of Oz Comic-Con, where creativity thrives and passion unites fans of every generation! Embark on a thrilling journey across two action-packed days filled with adventure, laughter, and all things pop culture. Whether you’re a seasoned convention-goer or attending for the first time, Oz Comic-Con promises an immersive and enjoyable experience for all. Join us as we ignite the spark of excitement and celebrate the diverse tapestry of pop culture that unites us all. At Oz Comic-Con, the adventure begins the moment you walk through the doors – don’t miss out on the fun! .au/whats-on/2026/06/oz-comic-con

Supanova Comic Con & Gaming is Australia's home of pop culture fandom, bringing together fans of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, gaming and nostalgia. Meet Supa-Star guests, explore exciting exhibitors, discover collectables and celebrate cosplay in an immersive weekend experience. If you missed out, come to Comic Con at @mcec Sat 6 June - Sun 7 June, 9:00am - 5:00pm Step into the extraordinary world of Oz Comic-Con, where creativity thrives and passion unites fans of every generation! Embark on a thrilling journey across two action-packed days filled with adventure, laughter, and all things pop culture. Whether you’re a seasoned convention-goer or attending for the first time, Oz Comic-Con promises an immersive and enjoyable experience for all. Join us as we ignite the spark of excitement and celebrate the diverse tapestry of pop culture that unites us all. At Oz Comic-Con, the adventure begins the moment you walk through the doors – don’t miss out on the fun! .au/whats-on/2026/06/oz-comic-con

100 years of creativity, community, and culture. The Tenants of the Nicholas Building were awarded a Certificate of Commendation by Lord Mayor Nick Reece in recognition of their contribution to Melbourne's arts and creative sector. A landmark moment for a truly landmark building. Reel by @fotobycaro #NicholasBuilding #Melbourne #CityOfMelbourne #MelbourneArts #CreativeMelbourne

Supanova Comic Con & Gaming is Australia's home of pop culture fandom, bringing together fans of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, gaming and nostalgia. Meet Supa-Star guests, explore exciting exhibitors, discover collectables and celebrate cosplay in an immersive weekend experience. If you missed out, come to Comic Con at @mcec Sat 6 June - Sun 7 June, 9:00am - 5:00pm Step into the extraordinary world of Oz Comic-Con, where creativity thrives and passion unites fans of every generation! Embark on a thrilling journey across two action-packed days filled with adventure, laughter, and all things pop culture. Whether you’re a seasoned convention-goer or attending for the first time, Oz Comic-Con promises an immersive and enjoyable experience for all. Join us as we ignite the spark of excitement and celebrate the diverse tapestry of pop culture that unites us all. At Oz Comic-Con, the adventure begins the moment you walk through the doors – don’t miss out on the fun! .au/whats-on/2026/06/oz-comic-con

Supanova Comic Con & Gaming is Australia's home of pop culture fandom, bringing together fans of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, gaming and nostalgia. Meet Supa-Star guests, explore exciting exhibitors, discover collectables and celebrate cosplay in an immersive weekend experience. If you missed out, come to Comic Con at @mcec Sat 6 June - Sun 7 June, 9:00am - 5:00pm Step into the extraordinary world of Oz Comic-Con, where creativity thrives and passion unites fans of every generation! Embark on a thrilling journey across two action-packed days filled with adventure, laughter, and all things pop culture. Whether you’re a seasoned convention-goer or attending for the first time, Oz Comic-Con promises an immersive and enjoyable experience for all. Join us as we ignite the spark of excitement and celebrate the diverse tapestry of pop culture that unites us all. At Oz Comic-Con, the adventure begins the moment you walk through the doors – don’t miss out on the fun! .au/whats-on/2026/06/oz-comic-con

Supanova Comic Con & Gaming is Australia's home of pop culture fandom, bringing together fans of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, gaming and nostalgia. Meet Supa-Star guests, explore exciting exhibitors, discover collectables and celebrate cosplay in an immersive weekend experience. If you missed out, come to Comic Con at @mcec Sat 6 June - Sun 7 June, 9:00am - 5:00pm Step into the extraordinary world of Oz Comic-Con, where creativity thrives and passion unites fans of every generation! Embark on a thrilling journey across two action-packed days filled with adventure, laughter, and all things pop culture. Whether you’re a seasoned convention-goer or attending for the first time, Oz Comic-Con promises an immersive and enjoyable experience for all. Join us as we ignite the spark of excitement and celebrate the diverse tapestry of pop culture that unites us all. At Oz Comic-Con, the adventure begins the moment you walk through the doors – don’t miss out on the fun! .au/whats-on/2026/06/oz-comic-con