When it comes to 1 Hotels, a touch of green inevitably comes to mind.
Founded by Barry Sternlicht, the visionary behind Starwood Hotels & Resorts, this luxury brand has long been known for its commitment to nature, sustainability, and environmentally conscious design.
From Miami and New York City to London, 1 Hotels has consistently upheld its philosophy that “nature is the source of inspiration.” Using raw wood, lush greenery, and reclaimed materials, it has created a series of green landmarks—while also setting trends in sustainable lifestyles at each destination.
Now, this “green movement” arrives in Melbourne, a global hub of culture and design, with the brand’s first Australian property.
1 Hotel Melbourne is an exploration of “rebirth”—not only serving as the perfect starting point for discovering the city, but also offering a place to reconnect with nature and rediscover the harmony between sustainability and modern luxury living.
A Green Landmark Along the Urban Waterfront
In the heart of Melbourne, the Yarra River flows quietly through the city. In the early morning, before the light fully unfolds, its surface shimmers with a thin layer of silver—like a reflection drifting in from the past.
The location of 1 Hotel Melbourne is remarkably well chosen.
Situated in the North Wharf precinct, one of the city’s most transformative waterfront areas, the hotel stands right along the river, occupying a 220-meter stretch of the Yarra’s edge.
Leaning against the water—and equally against the city’s history and vibrancy—the site was once home to Goods Shed No.5, built in 1895, a key facility during Melbourne’s golden age of maritime trade.
As time passed, the structure fell into quiet decline after the 1970s, until the arrival of 1 Hotels, which gave it a thoughtful and respectful rebirth.
During the restoration process, more than 2,000 original components were carefully cataloged, cleaned, and restored. Bluestone, trusses, wooden doors, and window frames have all been preserved, continuing to exist as part of this contemporary space.
Even the 1942 Malcolm Moore crane, now restored, stands by the river like a sculptural installation—a silent tribute to the city’s shipping heritage.
The partnership between Riverlee and 1 Hotels feels almost inevitable. What they have created here is not merely a hotel, but a place that connects past and future—a waterfront landmark that responds to the city’s historical narrative while leading a new vision of sustainable luxury living.
As the brand’s debut in Australia, this project carries particular significance. It not only establishes a new green landmark for Melbourne, but also allows a lifestyle that blends sustainability with luxury to truly take root across the city—and the country as a whole.
A Design Aesthetic Rooted in Nature
What you feel first is not luxury, but a sense of ease at 1 Hotel Melbourne,
Arriving here feels like stepping out of the city’s steel forest and into a quiet woodland wrapped in greenery—where riverside breezes and natural textures gently take over.
The architecture is led by Fender Katsalidis, drawing inspiration from Victoria’s landscapes. The rugged cliffs of the Great Ocean Road and the lush canopies of the Dandenong Ranges are abstracted into the building’s structure and material expression.
The interiors continue 1 Hotels’ signature biophilic philosophy—“nature above all”—incorporating extensive use of reclaimed and recycled materials.
Stepping into the soaring lobby, a dramatic granite wall immediately captures attention, evoking the coastal cliffs of Victoria. The reception desk is crafted from locally sourced elm wood, while in the lounge area, a retired railway bridge has been reimagined as a grand staircase—quietly redefining the poetic side of industrial heritage.
At the signature restaurant From Here by Mike, the original structural beams of the former goods shed have been transformed into a striking entrance colonnade.
1 Hotels has long mastered the art of giving new life to old materials—and understands that abundant greenery is the most valuable form of luxury.
More than 7,000 plants are integrated throughout the hotel. They are not mere decoration, but part of the architecture itself—blurring the boundary between nature and design, and forming a series of living, breathing green landscapes you can truly feel.
A Luxurious Riverside Residence
Guest rooms are more than places to stay at 1 Hotel Melbourne — they are spaces that shape a way of living.
The hotel features 277 rooms and 114 riverfront residences, expressing a refined sense of luxury through tranquility, simplicity, and nature.
The design continues the brand’s philosophy of sustainability, with carefully crafted recycled and natural materials elevating both the space and its finer details.
In some rooms, walls are formed from reclaimed railway sleepers, cut and reassembled into textured surfaces. Room number plaques are made from original underwater timber piles recovered during the restoration of the site’s historic wharf—marked by natural shipworm patterns and preserved moss, these elements embody the passage of time while subtly echoing the brand’s “green” identity.
Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the slow-moving Yarra River and Melbourne’s skyline unfold. As light shifts from morning to afternoon to night, the windows become like a moving screen, projecting a continuous “film” of light and shadow.
The highlight of 1 Hotel Melbourne is the penthouse on the 18th floor—a private residence suspended above the city. Designed by Clement Lee, founder of Riverlee, in collaboration with Fender Katsalidis, it features a private outdoor terrace, lounge spaces, and a library—elevating Melbourne living to an entirely new level.
Owners of the branded residences can also enjoy exclusive services, including private chef–curated dining experiences and in-residence spa treatments—bringing a truly elevated lifestyle to everyday living.
Art, Wellness & Healing
The essence of 1 Hotel Melbourne goes far beyond its guest rooms. Its boundaries extend into a layered lifestyle network—where wellness, art, dining, and culture are seamlessly interwoven—allowing guests to rediscover Melbourne through moments of stillness, and Immersed in the Melbourne Lifestyle.
At the heart of its culinary offering is From Here by Mike, led by acclaimed Australian chef Mike McEnearney. The restaurant embraces a low-waste philosophy, with ingredients sourced almost entirely from local producers.
Designed for sharing, the menu ranges from freshly shucked oysters with pickled radish and finger lime dressing, to twice-baked goat cheese soufflé with rosemary cream—each dish crafted to celebrate both flavor and conviviality.
The wine list is equally thoughtful: 40% of the wines are locally sourced, including biodynamic selections aligned with sustainable values. Some cocktails are even created using repurposed ingredients, allowing sustainability to blend naturally into the drinking experience.
Other dining venues across the hotel are equally distinctive. At Crane Bar & Lounge, guests can enjoy botanical cocktails made with local spirits alongside live DJ performances.
Neighbours Café offers a bright, plant-filled setting with a focus on wellness—serving pour-over coffee, refreshing smoothies, nutrient-rich drinks, and balanced meals. Meanwhile, the underground-style Upstairs Bar Melbourne provides a more intimate, hidden atmosphere for crafted cocktails and creative bites.
Wellness is deeply embedded in the experience. In collaboration with Bamford, the hotel features the Bamford Wellness Spa, offering natural treatments, an indoor pool, steam room, sauna, and a calming, restorative rhythm.
The Field House Gym is equally impressive, built with certified Troldtekt acoustic panels and Danish cement, and equipped with advanced facilities and personal training services.
Beyond the hotel itself, 1 Hotels extends its philosophy into curated lifestyle experiences—from wellness and fitness to gastronomy and the arts. Guests can take part in full moon sound healing sessions, yoga and Pilates classes, seasonal wine tastings, wine-and-cheese workshops, and creative programs in collaboration with local artists.
In this way, the hotel becomes more than a destination—it becomes a cultural bridge, connecting guests to the rhythm and creativity of Melbourne.
Sustainable Luxury
Luxury is redefined as something sustainable at 1 Hotel Melbourne — something inherently green. Through details such as solar arrays, rainwater harvesting systems, LEED Silver certification, energy-efficient equipment, operable windows, and shower timers, environmental responsibility is seamlessly woven into everyday experiences. The abundant use of natural elements not only reflects Melbourne’s character, but also creates a serene urban oasis in the heart of the city.
Staying here, guests can participate in a sustainable lifestyle effortlessly. This ease and natural integration are exactly what define 1 Hotels’ vision of “sustainable luxury.” More impressively, this philosophy extends beyond the hotel itself.
Adjacent to Seafarers Rest Park, a vast green space, the hotel becomes part of a broader vision—transforming the North Wharf precinct into a more livable, greener, and more inclusive destination.
Located just steps from many of Melbourne’s cultural institutions, art centers, and sports venues, the hotel also encourages low-impact mobility—whether by walking or taking the city’s free tram system. For those who prefer to travel by car, guests can enjoy complimentary rides in the fully electric Audi Q6 e-tron, perfectly balancing sustainability with luxury.
Sustainability is not an abstract concept or slogan here—it is something tangible, experiential, and participatory.
As inspired by the philosophy of 1 Hotels—to move in rhythm with the city, resonate with nature, and progress alongside sustainability—this Melbourne outpost offers a new way of living: a way to rediscover nature within the city, and to redefine luxury as something authentic, gentle, and meaningful.
