Melbourne to house one of Australia’s first pet-friendly luxury hotels
Riverlee has announced that its 1 Hotel Melbourne, which is under construction as part of the $450 million Seafarers development, in Northbank, will be pet-friendly.
The guesthouse will be one of the country’s only inns to welcome animals at no extra charge, it added.
Due for completion in 2022, the venue will be operated by SH Hotels & Resorts, affiliated with private investment firm Starwood Capital Group.
“1 Hotels has already garnered accolades and a loyal following with the opening of its first four hotels in the United States, including New York City’s Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park, South Beach, Miami and newly opened 1 Hotel West Hollywood,” a company spokesperson said.
“[The hotel] will draw inspiration from its successful counterparts, with all 1 Hotels accommodating furry friends free of charge, citing that ‘dogs are part of the family and we would never ask you to leave a family member behind’.
“On offer will be plush in-room dog beds should you forget your own, treats available to purchase from the minibar, doggy-day-care and dog-walking services, inbuilt doggy-doors and food bowls and a dog friendly concierge team with knowledge of dog parks, grooming salons and pet stores”.
Riverlee development director David Lee said 1 Hotels “was a clear choice for the Seafarers project due to its commitment to sustainability and its forward thinking methodology”.
“1 Hotels is renowned across the US for its commitment to sustainability and offering guests a truly memorable experience; one that fuses luxury with nature.
“Further to this, they also invite guests to bring their four-legged friends along with them, which we felt was a missing piece in Melbourne’s luxury hotel market and one that we are proud to pioneer.
“Pets in hotels is a common thread throughout the US with many luxury hotels offering pet-friendly services and it’s not unusual to see a dog in the lobby or lift with you” (story continues below).
1 Hotel Melbourne, Australia’s first 1 Hotel, with 280 five-star suites, forms part of the Seafarers redevelopment, which is replacing a historic site on the banks of the Yarra River in Docklands.
Seafarers will use recycled materials from structures once on the site it is replacing, including salvaged timber from the wharf restoration works, and industrial steel.
The project is also designed with 130 apartments and c800 seat function hall.
Riverlee hopes it will “revitalise the unique and industrial part of Melbourne’s Northbank”.
Late last year, the group financially backed co-work outfit The Commons, which has venues in Sydney and Melbourne.
Last month we reported that that co-work business’ first Melbourne CBD facility, at QV, would also be dog friendly.
Elsewhere in Melbourne, Riverlee is co-developing a 13-storey office at 484 Swan Street, Burnley.
That site was between 2000 and 2009 co-controlled by former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett for his business and philanthropic ventures including Beyond Blue.
