As Melbourne’s outer growth corridors continue to boom, businesses are looking to make the most of new opportunities in these developing suburbs.
Melbourne’s south-east is one of the city’s most dynamic corridors, with the Greater South East Melbourne group of councils reporting that the area creates more than $43 billion in gross regional product and accounts for 25% of Melbourne’s employment.
Homebuyers are taking notice with forecast data from .id showing that the region’s population is expected to reach almost 1.3 million by 2046, driven by the development of new residential communities in the area.
With the population rising, and the Victorian government investing in the area through projects like the Suburban Rail Loop East, demand is rising for new businesses to support the growing south-east community.
A strategic location in Melbourne’s south-east
One location in the south-east that’s seen significant growth is Cranbourne East, with data from .id showing the area’s population is projected to grow by 30.2% by 2046.
According to 2025 data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the suburb accommodated 2,226 businesses with 38.4% of them in the ‘transport, postal, and warehousing’ sector and 41.7% reporting an annual turnover of $50,000 to $200,000.
Thompsons Corner, a new commercial and retail hub selling flexible Commercial 2 Zone land in the heart of Cranbourne East, is primed to help businesses take advantage of the suburb’s growth.
Developed by Wolf Group and Aspen Capital, in partnership with Wolfdene, it brings a diverse range of approximately 102 commercial lots to a premium site on the corner of Thompson Road and Narre Warren Road.
This site gives businesses access to four of Melbourne’s major highways – the M1, the South Gippsland Highway, the M3 and the Western Port Highway, making it a highly connected location for customers and staff alike.
The intersection of Thompson Road and Narre Warren Cranbourne Road also provides significant visibility for brands looking to make their mark, with March 2026 Traffic Signal Volume data from Transport Victoria showing that the intersection is used by up to 86,700 motorists every day.
Businesses are already taking notice of the opportunities at Thompsons Corner, with its first release selling out after just two weeks on the market.
The release amounted to $63.5 million worth of commercial land lots and saw prime corner and main-road fronting lots snapped up by major brands.
Wolfdene Managing Director Michael Goldthorp said that this significant early success is a testament to the developer’s strategic approach to creating new opportunities for businesses in emerging areas like Cranbourne East and the wider south-east corridor.
“With a circa $4 billion pipeline across multiple geographic areas and sectors, Wolfdene now has the advantage of leaning into key markets as they mature,” he says.
“This means we can deliver services and amenities where they are needed most, while appealing to high profile brands who are actively looking for exposure to new markets.”
Thompsons Corner offers businesses flexible land lots in Cranbourne East. Picture: Artist impression.
What flexible commercial zoning can mean for different businesses
Thompsons Corner sits within Victoria’s Commercial 2 Zone (C2Z), setting up a versatile platform for a range of commercial operators.
It offers a clear framework for businesses to establish themselves confidently as the precinct evolves.
C2Z sites have a range of uses, including offices and light industrial warehouses, as well as small retail, supermarkets and food-and-drink premises subject to planning approval, making it suitable for a range of businesses and brands.
“Thompsons Corner’s commercial two zoning is incredibly appealing to a wide range of potential businesses as it delivers flexibility depending on the operator,” says LAWD Director Henry Burbury, who is marketing the project.
“It could support a Quick Service Restaurant, large-format gym or retail offering, through to smaller mum-and-dad business owners considering cafés, localised warehousing or an office premises.”
This flexibility has been a core part of Thompsons Corner’s appeal, allowing a diverse selection of businesses to make the most of the growing area now and well into the future.
“We approached Thompsons Corner with a very clear understanding of what commercial operators are looking for in Melbourne’s growth – flexibility, visibility and the ability to secure a site that can accommodate their business as it grows,” says Wolf Group Director Jason Zhu.
“Buyers have been particularly responsive to having a range of lot sizes that allows them to secure land appropriate to their operational requirements today, while positioning themselves within a precinct that has considerable room to grow.”
With a range of C2Z lots available, Thompsons Corner gives businesses room to grow as the area develops. Picture: Artist impression.
A new land release for a maturing community
As Cranbourne East grows further, Thompsons Corner is set to fit into this established community’s day-to-day life.
Three shopping centres are only minutes away and there is a range of dining from quick‑service options to local cafés set to serve workers and visitors.
Multiple petrol stations line the key roads for quick refueling, while regular bus services connect to Cranbourne Station for simple public transport links.
Expansive green spaces, from the Casey Fields sporting precinct to the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, also offer places to unwind before or after work.
Following the strong success of the first release, Wolfdene is now looking to fast-track Thompsons Corner’s second release, likely to include lots ranging from 650sqm to 9,931sqm.
Mr Burbury says that if the first release’s success is any indication, this second release is likely to prove just as popular.
“We expect to see demand continue at this level due to the area’s strong market fundamentals that are underpinned by strong business and population growth,” he says.
He adds that the increasing maturity of the nearby residential projects have an immediate need for the kinds of services, amenities and retail that Thompsons Corner will be home to.
Interested buyers are encouraged to make an enquiry and learn more about how Thompsons Corner’s location and flexible zoning might suit new or expanding businesses.