15 November 2024
Saw recently that the new hotel on Russell Street is nearly finished, and must say I quite like it ! Designed by @kennedy_nolan, it’s got lots of brick, earthy colours, varied massing and a sense of depth, and their signature cut out circles. From Bourke Street you almost don’t notice it. Much better than the first shiny glassy thing designed by @buchan_studio. It also helps that it’s in a discretionary 40m height limit area; I see they got a few extra setback floors above that point, but all black, looks fine. Interesting that not a single article about it mentions the height limit. The only drawback is that it replaced the nice though not outstanding 1923 office block, originally with Olympia Motors car showroom on the ground floor (!), and from 1972 home for the Theosophical Society. It should/could have been part of a heritage precinct going up Bourke Street, but there’s just lots of individual listings instead. It also took out the Army Disposals next door, but it was very altered; that’s less variety to the street, though they promise lots of ‘activation’ including down the laneway. When I was passing they were busily planting out the balcony. It’s right across from the @candalepasassociates QT Hotel, also masonry gridded and 40m, but lacking the variations and warmth. It’s called Melbourne Place, not very imaginative, but it’s also the name of the lane. Pics 6,7 from Kennedy Nolan website.
Storey of Melbourne 