Lanson Place Makes its Debut in Melbourne and Relaunches its Hong Kong Flagship
Lanson Place has opened its first Australian hotel, Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, in the historic Salvation Army Printing Works in Melbourne, while the Hong Kong hotel gets a sophisticated update by Pierre-Yves Rochon
Hong Kong hospitality brand Lanson Place is known for its hotels and residences in key gateway cities like Singapore, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur. Now, the brand has opened its first Australian hotel, Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, in East Melbourne, where its signature residential interiors and experiences are matched with almost 500 local artworks that respond to the building’s past. Further north, in Hong Kong, this attention to place and the comforts of home is echoed in the recently reopened Lanson Place Causeway Bay, with interiors by French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon.
Located on the edge of the city in Albert Street, East Melbourne, the new five-star boutique hotel occupies the site of the former 1901 Salvation Army Printing Works. ‘The new Melbourne property is a true reflection of the city’s charm, where old meets new in a way that feels both inviting and familiar. We’re excited to welcome guests and help them experience the unique warmth and vibrancy Melbourne has to offer,’ says Lanson Place Parliament Gardens general manager Marcus Packham.
The facade of the original Federation Romanesque style building, designed by Brigadier Edward Saunders, architect and co-founder of the Amy in Australia, has been carefully preserved, while exposed brickwork and arched elements trace back to its heritage.
The property’s 137 rooms range from hotel rooms and studios, to one- and two-bedroom apartments, with two exquisite penthouses offering panoramic views over Melbourne. Each room offers a home-like experience for travellers, with warm and tactile materials and detailed finishes. Other facilities include a heated indoor swimming pool, a spa and fitness centre, the signature modern Australian restaurant Chronicle 502 Bar & Dining, and a co-working space.
Celebrating the hotel’s historic location, Lanson Place commissioned 462 pieces of art to be dotted throughout the property. A highlight is the 40-metre-high translucent installation in the lobby by Melbourne artists Jarra Karalinar Steel and Corey Thomas, inspired by the native Melaleuca paperbark tree.
Another highlight in the Lanson Place portfolio is the recently reopened Lanson Place Causeway Bay in Hong Kong, its air of French sophistication courtesy of Parisian hotel design maestro Pierre-Yves Rochon. Here, subdued colours blend with natural materials to create an understated French Mediterranean feel — a welcome respite in bustling Causeway Bay.
Similar to Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, all rooms at Lanson Place Causeway Bay feature floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding them with natural light while offering views of the city.
‘Our renovation respects the DNA of this institution, which is a private, personal hotel, a warm place, a sanctuary within the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong,’ says Rochon. ‘The key principle has been to respect its soul, creating a timeless address whose character is inspired by nature.’