1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, have opened 1 Hotel Melbourne. This nature-inspired property marks the brand’s long-anticipated debut in Australia.
Developed in partnership with Melbourne-based Riverlee, the hotel is set along 220m of uninterrupted Yarra River frontage in the revitalised North Wharf precinct. The building is a celebration of Melbourne’s storied past and a blueprint for a more sustainable future, brought to life through biophilic design principles and a commitment to living in harmony with nature.
The architectural centrepiece of the project is the restored Goods Shed No. 5, Melbourne’s last remaining heritage goods shed from the city’s shipping heyday. The hotel is also designed to foster connection, creativity, and community, buzzing from day to night with chef-led dining, wellness experiences, and a dynamic lineup of “happenings”—from sound baths and DJ sets to zero-waste cocktail workshops.
Rebecca King, former VP of Starwood Hotels, said: “Melbourne’s maritime past was a constant muse. From blackened steel frames echoing the original goods shed to rope detailing on custom chairs, every element pays homage to the site’s nautical heritage in a way that feels entirely authentic and grounded in place.
“We took strong cues from nature, not just for beauty but to honour 1 Hotel’s sustainability ethos. Raw timbers, tumbled stone and living greenery aren’t just aesthetic, they’re alive, evolving and quietly telling the story of the land. Above all, we wanted the hotel to feel like a home somewhere warm and grounded where guests can exhale, recharge and just be.”
The hotel’s design narrative is anchored in the brand’s nature-first ethos and commitment to biophilic design—an approach that taps into the untamed landscapes of Victoria, from the rugged cliffs of the Great Ocean Road to the lush canopies of the Dandenong Ranges. Here, nature isn’t an escape from the city—it’s a dialogue with it, creating an urban sanctuary that blurs the boundary between built and natural environments, with a deep and immersive sense of place.
At the heart of the design is the site itself: the historic Seafarers wharf, in continuous use since 1855. Originally built in 1895, Goods Shed No. 5 was once a vital part of Melbourne’s maritime economy, processing massive amounts of cargo before falling into disuse in the 1970s. More than 2,000 original elements have been salvaged, catalogued, and reincorporated, including bluestone pavers, steel trusses, timber doors, and window frames. The adjacent Malcolm Moore crane, a 1942 industrial relic and the last of its kind in Victoria, has been restored and repositioned as a sculptural tribute to the area’s shipping past.
From the moment guests enter the soaring lobby—anchored by a dramatic rock wall constructed from split-faced granite, an industrial by-product that echoes Victoria’s coastal geology—they are immersed in a story of regeneration and renewal. Reclaimed timber is a defining feature, with more than 4,500 square meters (the equivalent of 18 tennis courts) used in the hotel. The reception desk is made with repurposed elm trees from Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel works. In the lounge, decommissioned railway bridges were transformed into a sweeping staircase. And in the signature restaurant, From Here by Mike, the original support beams from the Goods Shed have been repurposed as dramatic portals. Throughout the property, more than 7,000 plants bring Victoria’s biodiversity indoors, reinforcing the hotel’s biophilic approach.
The hotel features 277 tranquil guest rooms, including 36 suites. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame skyline or Yarra River views. Guest rooms feature walls made from discarded railway sleepers across Victoria and New South Wales. Guest room door numbers are displayed on reclaimed timber panels crafted from original subaquatic piers salvaged during the site’s wharf restoration, featuring distinctive marine worm markings and accented with preserved moss above and below. Smart thermostats, energy-saving switches, and low-VOC materials reinforce the hotel’s light-touch approach.
In addition to the rooms and suites, 1 Hotel Melbourne offers 114 hotel-branded homes. Residents in these luxury, waterfront homes will enjoy exclusive services such as chef-catered private dinners and in-residence spa treatments. The crowning jewel is the 18th floor penthouse designed by Riverlee founder Clement Lee OAM, in collaboration with Fender Katsalidis. Residents have access to a private outdoor terrace, lounge, library, and dining space with sweeping views of the river and the skyline.
The debut of 1 Hotel Melbourne also marks the launch of Regeneration: The Art of Renewal, a site-specific art program curated for the property by One Design Office in collaboration with DarkLab, a subsidiary of the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Works have been commissioned from Vanessa Barragão, Jamie North, and Indigenous Australian artists Naminapu Maymuru-White and Yhonnie Scarce. The collection brings together Indigenous and contemporary perspectives on resilience, culture, and environmental healing through reclaimed and natural materials. From suspended glass eel forms to towering plant-infused concrete sculptures, it’s a sensory journey.
Food and beverage experiences are guided by the same philosophy that defines the property itself. Every detail—from the sourcing of ingredients to the design of the spaces—has been carefully considered to nourish guests and respect the planet.
From Here by Mike, the signature restaurant, marks the first hotel collaboration for renowned Australian chef Mike McEnearney, the force behind the acclaimed Sydney restaurant Kitchen by Mike and the author of two celebrated cookbooks.
Additional venues expand on the brand’s approach to conscious hospitality. Crane Bar & Lounge serves up botanical cocktails made with locally distilled spirits and a soundtrack of live DJ sets. Neighbours Café is a light, plant-filled space for barista-made coffee, nutrient-dense meals, smoothies, and power-packed energy shots. And then there’s Upstairs, a cocktail bar hidden away on the first floor that trades in word-of-mouth magic.
Wellness is woven into every element of the 1 Hotel Melbourne experience. At the heart of the offering is Bamford Wellness Spa, created in partnership with Carole Bamford, a pioneer in organic, sustainable, and holistic living. The spa offers a range of all-natural treatments, as well as a stunning wellness area with an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and a Jacuzzi-style spa. Guests also have access to The Field House Gym, a state-of-the-art fitness center outfitted with cutting-edge equipment, personal trainers, and a variety of movement and mindfulness experiences including yoga and meditation.
At 1 Hotel Melbourne, sustainability is the foundation that guides every aspect of the property—not just within operational systems, but with the guest experience. While the hotel is on track to achieve LEED Silver certification with efficient systems like a 50kW solar array and 50kl rainwater harvesting, what makes this property unique is how sustainability becomes experiential.
Guided by nature, guests are immersed in greenery, texture, and tone that celebrate Melbourne and create an urban sanctuary where the city feels like an island retreat. Thoughtful details like shower timers and operable windows in 85% of the rooms make mindful living effortless, without compromise.
1 Hotel Melbourne is built on the idea that where you stay should reflect how you want to live: with style and purpose. It’s not just about checking in, it’s about tuning in to the city, to nature, and to what truly matters.
