Construction commences on Melbourne’s historic Sir Charles Hotham Hotel
Purcell strengthens its presence in Melbourne with heritage restoration works
Construction has officially commenced on the first phase of renewal works at the historic Sir Charles Hotham Hotel, located on the corner of Spencer and Flinders Streets, Melbourne Australia. The project marks a significant milestone in restoring one of Melbourne’s most overlooked heritage buildings.
Originally built in 1855 and redesigned in 1912 by architect William Pitt, the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel has long been a landmark of the city’s western edge. Expanded and modernised over the years, it most recently operated as a backpacker’s hostel before closing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current project will transform the building into accommodation tailored for tertiary students.
Our Melbourne studio is working on the external conservation of the building, a base-building upgrade, and new services compound. In this first stage, the focus is on forward works, internal dismantling and carefully removing later paint layers to reveal the building’s original 1913 façade.
– Alistair Ravenscroft, Associate Partner, Purcell Melbourne
The project is the result of close collaboration between Purcell and Hassell, who have been working on plans for the site since 2017. Once complete, the restored Sir Charles Hotham Hotel will reclaim its place as a valued architectural and social feature of the city’s urban fabric.
