Although originally slated for a 2020 opening, the long-awaited Australian return of Marriott’s Parisian-born Le Meridian brand is coming in just a few months. Le Meridian Melbourne has locked in a March opening date, adding to the long list of luxury hotels launching across Australia in the first half of 2023.
Although this one will be slightly more theatrical than the rest, given the 235-room and suite hotel replaces the historic Palace Theatre and will undoubtedly be using its position amongst the city’s theatre district as a bit of a theme.
Located at the Parliament end of Bourke Street, Le Meridien Melbourne should fit into the street nicely, offering not just a sizable range of rooms and suites, but a ground-floor cafe and bar, restaurant, various meeting spaces and a rooftop pool deck with views all the way Fitzroy Gardens.
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Some may be soured on the sad exit of Melbourne’s long-standing Palace Theatre, but the site was originally built as a hotel after all. When it was first erected in 1850, the original property quickly became the heart of Melbourne’s art and culture scene and has reshaped into different venues ever since, serving stints as a theatre, nightclub and live performance venue over the years.
Architects Peddle Thorp have bought the 12-storey building full circle for one of Marriott’s biggest 2023 openings. Art Deco is the obvious brief here and it shows from renders released so far, blending mid-century modernism with reference to the building’s heritage.
A press release containing details about the forthcoming Marriott hotel promises “high-impact arrival art installations” along with some of the standard touchpoints of luxury travel, curated all the way down to the Le Meridien brand’s signature room scents and high-end bathroom amenities from Malin + Goetz.
Like with most Parisian hotel brands, considerable focus should be put on the ground-floor restaurant and bar, the name of which is yet to be revealed. Details so far suggest a rather elegant space with velvet booths and leather armchairs providing a comfortable spot to grab a pre-show dinner.
Although it’s most likely the hotel’s prime spot for guests will be that expansive pool deck. There aren’t many of those in the area, so having one – next to what looks like a reasonably well-equipped fitness centre – will be the bulk of heavy lifting when it comes to positioning Le Meridien Melbourne as a central feature of Bourke Street.
Le Meridien Melbourne
Address: 20 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Le Meridien Melbourne opens in March 2023. Rates are yet to be confirmed.
