Top shelf bar design

Metropolitan Hotel

The reinstatement of the historic Metropolitan Hotel preserves the cherished Melbourne pub’s vintage aesthetic, while adding a contemporary touch to the heritage-listed building.

 

The multi-level hospitality design for DeGroup redeveloped the two-storey hotel building and restored its exposed red brickwork and original façade, while a separate boutique office tower was constructed above it.

The interior has been divided into a wine bar on the ground level, a cocktail lounge on the first floor, and a rooftop bar on top of what was once the pub. These interconnected social spaces encourage movement between them, with the wine bar and rooftop bar as places city workers can go for lunch or have afterwork drinks, with the option of going to the cocktail lounge later on.

The ground level wine bar preserves a vintage pub aesthetic, while adding a contemporary touch with the overhead shelving, which incorporates metal mesh and coloured glass, reminiscent of vintage glass bottles.

The bar incorporates local artists like renowned Melbourne street artist, RONE, whose mural at the ground floor seating area is strategically placed to capture the attention of passersby and greet guests. The mural contributes to the bar’s ability to evoke a sense of history while perfectly complementing the contemporary setting.

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The cocktail lounge has a layered design featuring custom wallpaper, velvet curtains lining the walls, and a metal mesh curtain behind pleated banquettes forming private booths for seating.

The rooftop bar with its alfresco deck and tilt-up doors open up to give a ‘bar in the sky’ feel with views of the Melbourne cityscape.

Roger Okalyi

Hotel Manager/Owner

Details

Client

DeGroup

Location

Melbourne | Wurundjeri and Bunurong Country, Australia

Year

2023

Status

Completed

Area

862 sqm

Photography

Derek Swalwell