MGallery opens its latest offering, The Porter House Hotel in Sydney in a heritage-listed building.
Boutique hotel brand MGallery has opened the doors to The Porter House Hotel, which sits within the iconic 1870s heritage-listed building in the Sydney CBD.
The hotel is spread over 10 floors of the historic 36-storey building, offering 122 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, many with views of Hyde Park. All guests have access to a fitness centre and a heated swimming pool, as well as a rooftop garden.
There’s also a wide range of dining and drinking venues within the redeveloped hotel, with three new establishments spread across four levels of the original Porter House building. Henry’s Bread and Wine provides an all-day menu with light, premium fare such as the Wagyu pastrami Reuben sandwich or the poached Murray cod bagel. A central bar serves champagne, signature cocktails and wines that are primarily Australian.
Dixson & Sons is a generous space on the building’s first floor in which guests can dine on contemporary cuisine by executive chef Emrys Jones, who has created a menu that showcases regional New South Wales produce.
On the top level of The Porter House, Spice Trader is set to open this summer with a menu of creative cocktails in a light, airy space, which features a 16-metre sage marble bar centrepiece.
Photography by Steven Woodburn
Design notes
Originally commissioned in 1876 by Hugh Dixson, who was Australia’s leading tobacco manufacturer at the time, The Porter House was formerly a tobacco factory and warehouse. It went on to be leased to leather merchant George Johnson & Sons; and furniture manufacturer, WW Campbell & Co.
The hotel’s general manager Joleen Hurst commented, “Emanating an effortless duality, the redeveloped Porter House precinct plays with the concept of intriguing contrasts. By placing two extraordinary buildings together, we have created something remarkably original that we hope local, interstate and international guests will be fascinated by.”
Photography by Steven Woodburn
Award-winning architect Angelo Candelapas of Candelapas Associates is the creative mind behind the development of this special heritage project. A modern tower has been built around The Porter House on two sides, which was designed to complement its history, with touches such as contemporary curved windows that reference the original building’s iconic brick archways.
A striking 335-square-metre abstract mural by artist Maria Fernanda Cardosa was commissioned for the exterior wall of the new tower, titled Ripples and Droplets.
Photography by Steven Woodburn
Inside, the design leans on light tones such as dusty pinks and mushroom greys, which sit alongside natural textures that give a contemporary yet welcoming feel. Hardwood flooring and gold and brass fixtures are additional luxurious design touches.
Soft curves, arches and circles pervade the building, and playful additions such as vintage and modern bed lamps affixed to the ceilings in guestroom evoke the theme of the old meeting the new.
Photography by Steven Woodburn