Melbourne Place hotel is the new hot spot in the Victorian capital. An unmissable hospitality hub, along with almost 200 gorgeous guest rooms, it houses the latest restaurant by super-chef Ross Lusted, called Marmelo, a basement supper club called Mr Mills, and the most sought-out rooftop terrace in town.

The building, designed inside and out by Melbourne practice Kennedy Nolan, occupies its inner-city setting with aplomb – straddling an entire block delineated by a U-shaped laneway (after which it is named) off Russell Street. It’s red-brick base is deeply coffered and, 12 floors above, a dramatic parapet is punctured by two large circles that look like eyes surveying the urban vista.