The independent hotel, located on the corner of Melbourne Place and Russell Street, is surrounded by architectural gems, many of which were built in the early 20th century.Credit: Derek Swalwell
Guests enter a cavernous lobby where the steel reception bench is framed by artist Atong Atem’s video installation. Atem’s photographs also feature in the hotel’s moody corridors, where they act as signposts for guests to find their rooms.
Kennedy shows me a series of suites across 16 levels, from the singular penthouse covering 100 square metres to the more modest business suites.
“The penthouse can also be used for functions and events but it usually attracts the celebrities,” says Kennedy, pointing out the grand piano and a substantial dining space that can easily accommodate a dinner party for 12.
While the rooms vary both in size and colour palette, there’s a level of finish that’s consistent, with nifty design details. In some standard rooms, the vanity forms part of the joinery immediately past the door, separate to the curvaceous tiled showers.
“It’s a place where you can also place your luggage, rather than having to squeeze cases next to beds,” Kennedy says.
Loading
Timber doors that slide into cavity walls allow the bathroom to be part of the bedroom or to remain private. In some instances, porthole windows allow you to see the skyline while showering.
Unusually for a hotel, the colour white is banished. There are no white plaster walls lining corridors or in rooms, and even the Frette bed linen is dyed in muted soft tones, appropriate for the palette in each room.
The hotel also went against the grain in having operable windows to allow fresh air to circulate. For those wanting a midair experience, there’s a restaurant with the same name on level 12.
Given our love of the outdoors, Kennedy Nolan included large external protected terraces with open fireplaces. The feature wraparound terrace is even larger than the restaurant itself. Its casual ambience reflects a preference for fewer stitched-up spaces and is akin to being in your own backyard but, in this case, several levels above the pavement.
Melbourne Place Hotel was designed by Kennedy Nolan.Credit: Anson Smart
“At night this area literally glows in the western light,” adds Kennedy, who included a series of large-scale brick portals on the terrace that neatly frame Melbourne’s skyline.
The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the day’s trading. Get it each weekday afternoon.
About The Author
