The Metropolitan Hotel
The Metropolitan Hotel
263 William Street, Melbourne
Completed 2023
Location
263 William Street
Melbourne
VIC
Dream Team
Developer – DeGroup
Architecture & Design – Bates Smart, WMK Architecture
Builder – Crema Constructions
The Metropolitan Hotel
Situated in the heart of the CBD’s legal precinct, The Metropolitan Hotel stands proudly as a restored, refurbished, and reinstated Melbourne city icon, reopening 170 years after it was first established.
But first, a brief history lesson – the Metropolitan is a historic landmark built in 1925. Having opened its doors as a traditional corner hotel and Australian pub circa 1854, it is historically significant due to its long connections with the City of Melbourne, as a place of social congregation and celebration for well over a century.
The Masterplan
In preserving the city’s past while embracing its future, considered design and a conservationist approach were at the forefront of this project. Utilising the site’s advantageous corner location with a rare vertical void, the plan was to design a commercial tower ascending above the heritage-overlaid red brick structure. A curvilinear recess wrapped in glass with an undulating setback formed a transitional connection point between the old and the new. Below, the rejuvenated Metropolitan Hotel façade returned to its original design intent and retained its character heritage. Above, a deliberately minimalist vertical tower, understated and non-detracting
The Materialisation
Paying homage to the history of the site, this project demanded careful decision-making and attention to detail from start to finish. We restored, refurbished, and reinstated the heritage building back to its former glory, reminiscent of its appearance back in 1937 with exposed red brickwork and original arched windows. It now stands as a completely revitalised 3-storey hospitality venue with materials that match its historical significance, housing three carefully curated spaces for all to enjoy: The Ground Floor Wine Bar, the First Floor Cocktail Lounge, and the Rooftop Bar.
Rising above street level, a 20-level boutique office tower comprises 235m2 floors with sweeping 270-degree views of the surrounding CBD and suburbs. The levels are wrapped in a structural exoskeleton and aligned to the south edge, enhancing the structural integrity of the building while allowing for maximal internal space.
The Proud Moment
A notable highlight was returning the façade to its 1937 appearance. This included stripping back paint, repairing existing brickwork, and re-rendering the original dado line that wraps around the entire façade. The day when we installed the (restored) classic ‘Metropolitan’ hotel signage was a moment that signified Crema’s active role in preserving our beautiful city’s past while pioneering its future.
