After six months under wraps, a 31-storey portrait of indigenous leader William Barak was momentarily revealed to the world on Monday.

The 85-metre face has been created in the balconies of a new Grocon apartment building at the former Carlton United and Brewery site on Swanston Street.

Wurundjeri elder William Barak gazes over Melbourne. Credit:Eddie Jim

The 530-apartment project is due to be launched on Thursday, but the face will undergo some minor cosmetic surgery before it is officially completed.

Grocon's national design manager David Waldren said they were still not completely satisfied with the depiction of the tribal chief and therefore would spend another six months making sure it was perfect.