Micro hotel coming to Melbourne CBD

A 13-STOREY “micro” hotel planned for the city’s heart will be a first for Melbourne as the minimalist style becomes popular around the world.

The Melbourne Theosophical building on Russell St.

MELBOURNE looks set to get its first micro hotel.

Chinese-backed developer Longriver wants build a 13-storey hotel on the site of the Melbourne Theosophical Society building in Russell St.

The 1923 building will be demolished and replaced with a glass-fronted structure with two basement levels between Little Collins and Bourke Streets

HOTEL BOOM SWEEPS MELBOURNE

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The concept of a micro hotel features minimal room amenities and has become popular around the world.

A ground level view of the proposed 13-storey micro hotel at 130 Russell St, Melbourne. Architect: Buchan/Nikken

The smaller rooms take a minimalist approach and, for example, have less space for wardrobes and cabinets, replaced by hooks and hangers.

Tourism Accommodation Australia chief executive Carol Giuseppi said micro hotels were a worldwide trend.

“As rooms are getting smaller, there has to be more advanced design. It’s about the utilisation of space,’’ Ms Giuseppi said.

The proposed 13-storey micro hotel on Russell St. Architect: Buchan/Nikken

The Melbourne Theosophical Society has occupied the existing building since 1972.

Micro hotels, such as the Hotel Alex in Perth, usually have more communal dining and living spaces, she said.

The design of the Melbourne hotel, with the working title of 130 Russell St, has been completed by the Buchan Group, the architects who created the look of the Emporium Melbourne, with collaboration from Tokyo-based Nikken Sekkei on the design.

Savills sold the building late last year for $23 million.

The Melbourne Theosophical building at 126-128 Russell St, Melbourne CBD.

The building is still leased to 10 businesses, four shops and has a 4D cinema on the ground floor.

The structure is subject to a Melbourne City Council heritage review but has no protections and will be knocked down.

The Theosophical Society had owned the building since 1972. The which was originally occupied by Olympia Motors as a car showroom in the 1920s.

Front of the Melbourne Theosophical Society building.

Melbourne Heritage Action spokesman Tristan Davies said the Theosophical Society refurbished the interior and ground floor in the 1970s.

“Losing this building means we also lose a rare example of intact 1970s design as well as a privately owned civic space,’’ Mr Davies said.

Comment was sought from Longriver and the Buchan Group.

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@IanRoyall