Set within Melbourne’s revitalised North Wharf precinct on the banks of the Yarra River, 1 Hotel Melbourne is a luxury waterfront hotel that redefines sustainable hospitality through the adaptive reuse of the historic Goods Shed No.5.

The project comprises 277 guest rooms and suites, food and beverage venues, event spaces, wellness facilities, and public areas centred around the restored heritage structure. Rather than treating sustainability as a collection of isolated initiatives, it is embedded into every aspect of the guest experience, from the materials guests touch to the stories they encounter throughout their stay.

At the heart of the project is the restoration of the 1895 Goods Shed, one of Melbourne’s last remaining examples of working waterfront infrastructure. More than 2,000 heritage elements were retained, restored, or repurposed, including bluestone pavers, steel trusses, window frames, wharf timbers, and salvaged railway materials. These materials have been thoughtfully integrated into the hotel’s architecture and interiors, allowing guests to experience the site’s history firsthand while reducing the environmental impact associated with demolition and new construction.

Nature and wellbeing are equally central to the design. More than 7,000 plants are woven throughout the hotel, creating a strong connection to the natural environment and reinforcing the brand’s biophilic design principles. Sustainable operational initiatives include filtered drinking water systems, reduced reliance on single-use plastics, and carefully selected low-impact materials and finishes.

The result is a hospitality destination that offers a distinctly Melbourne experience, drawing on the city’s industrial heritage, waterfront setting, and commitment to sustainability. By transforming a significant heritage asset into a contemporary hotel, the project demonstrates how thoughtful design can deliver memorable guest experiences while preserving cultural history, reducing embodied carbon, and creating long-term environmental and social value.

Photography: Peter Benetts, Mikkel Vang, Dianna Snape