Italy’s Mercato Centrale has five locations across the boot nation, from Rome to Florence, serving some 10 million customers a year. Now, its first international outpost is coming to Melbourne, in the 1930s McPherson’s building at the emergent west end of Collins Street. The 3000-square-metre space will be home to an ambitious and expansive food hall experience, set to open in 2024.

The three-storey project will house 20 artisan stalls – bakers, butchers, cheesemakers, fishmongers, pasta fresca crafters and more – creating a market-like experience. Mortadella will pour off the slicer in endless ribbons into crusty pastadura rolls. Delicately infused ricotta will be piped into crispy cannoli. Loose cow’s milk curds will be stretched and manipulated into glistening white orbs of fresh mozzarella. But more than just a place to shop or eat, it will tap into the concept of the piazza as a space that encourages lingering and a sense of belonging.

There will be more than 1000 seats, but no “silver or ceramics” according to Umberto Montano – the effusive businessman behind Mercato Centrale. The service isn’t intended to be the calling card; this is designed to be a place of wonder and relaxation, where people can enjoy the company of friends or strangers while taking their pick of delicacies from the 20 planned stalls or enjoying a cocktail after their grocery shop.

The third floor will host a revolving door of art exhibitions, book launches and cultural talks. Perhaps most importantly, it will play host to the artisans from the market below, who will use the 500-square-metre space to pass on their skills, teaching the people of Melbourne their time-honoured crafts through regular lessons, demonstrations and talks.

Mercato Centrale is set to open at 546 Collins Street, Melbourne.