Hilton’s homage, a rugged outpost, and a star is born

HERITAGE TRANSFORMATION HILTON MELBOURNE LITTLE QUEEN STREET

The 1931 Equity Chambers building on Little Queen Street in Melbourne has been reimagined as a 244room Hilton hotel by Bates Smart. The architects have restored the original features of the heritage property, and added a modern six-level extension and a 16-level tower at the back. Julian Anderson, director of Bates Smart, told Architecture and Design the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, which opened last month, does not step on the toes of the existing Equity Chambers site. “The new building is a restrained and respectful response, providing an elegant backdrop to the existing building,” he says. “It’s a real journey of discovery – it’s about taking heritage and opening up a piece of grand Melbourne for everyone to explore.”