New Opening: 1 Hotel Melbourne

1 Hotels has made its Australia debut with 1 Melbourne, a nature-inspired property on the Yarra River in the North Wharf precinct. 

The luxury lifestyle brand’s newest hotel, under Starwood Hotels (formerly SH Hotels), features 277 guest rooms, including 36 suites with either city skyline or river views, as well as 114 branded residences. It notably centers around a restored, historic shipping building, Goods Shed No. 5, and uses recycled materials in its design throughout. 

“The opening of 1 Hotel Melbourne marks a powerful moment for our brand as we expand in the Asia Pacific region,” says Barry Sternlicht, 1 Hotels founder and Starwood Hotels chairman. “As we grow our global footprint, we’re focused on markets that reflect our values—places where nature, culture, and innovation converge in meaningful ways. Melbourne is a city that not only understands the importance of sustainability, it celebrates it.”   

Goods Shed No. 5 was built in 1895 and once served as a vital part of Melbourne’s maritime economy when the city was a large shipping district. The structure – including more than 2,000 of its original elements – has now been repurposed for the hotel. Each material was salvaged, catalogued, and reincorporated, from bluestone pavers and steel trusses to timber doors and window frames. 

Adding to the hotel’s unique blend of history and nature, the lobby backdrop is a rock wall constructed from split-faced granite, and the reception desk was made from repurposed elm trees. 

1 Hotel Melbourne offers wellness facilities, event spaces, several restaurants, and its Happenings lineup of activities, including sound baths, DJ sets, and zero-waste cocktail workshops. Events are seasonal, co-created by locals, and often themed to local “happenings,” such as Wellness Month in August and Melbourne Fashion Week in October.

Australian chef Mike McEnearney’s From Here by Mike is the hotel’s signature restaurant, which also has the Crane Bar & Lounge, Neighbours Cafe, and Upstairs, a speakeasy-style lounge. Bamford Wellness Spa has an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and a Jacuzzi-style spa. Meanwhile, The Field House Gym has high-end equipment, personal trainers, and yoga and meditation classes.

The new hotel joins other recent 1 Hotels openings, including 1 Hotel Seattle and 1 Hotel Tokyo. 1 Hotel Copenhagen is also set to open soon.