TFE Hotels is expanding its Melbourne portfolio with the signing of a AU$150 million boutique hotel in Southbank, set to open in September 2025.
A joint venture partnership between property developer Time and Place and MaxCap Group, the 188-room hotel marks the creation of a unique hotel brand, the Hannah St. Hotel, which will operate under the Collection by TFE Hotels brand.
The neighbourhood hotel, which is already under construction, will be part of The Queensbridge Building, which will feature 367 residential apartments, lush gardens and private rooftop terraces when completed.
Across its 10 levels, Hannah St. Hotel will feature a bar, restaurant and a rooftop bar/events space, with guests also gaining access to The Queensbridge Building’s gym, lap pool, sauna, wellness room and work club, complete with podcasting studios.
The project is a further boost to Melbourne’s inner city which is set to see the benefits of the AU$1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation Project in 2028.
The Queensbridge Building – designed in collaboration with Elenberg Fraser, with interiors by the renowned Flack Studios – references Melbourne’s industrial era through the use of brass, steel and stone in its design.
“As developers, we want to facilitate the development of legacy projects that invite art, design and culture to influence one another,” said Time and Place Director, Tim Price.
“We envisage the hotel will become ingrained in the cultural fabric of the suburb and form a part of the transformation, coming to life as a ‘neighbourhood hotel’ for locals and visitors alike.
“As we set out to bring this landmark hotel to The Queensbridge Building, we are looking to bring international influences to Southbank through design and experiences. We anticipate that our hotel will be regarded as the place to stay for anyone in the arts visiting the city.”
Price said the Collection by TFE Hotels brand was a natural choice for the project.
“Not only are our brand values aligned but TFE Hotels is the perfect operator to bring to a suburb rich in arts and culture as it transitions to a premier lifestyle destination,” he said.
The Collection by TFE Hotels brand is gaining momentum with a 102-room boutique Collection property currently under construction in Sydney’s Surry Hills; and a $340-million dual hotel project slated for Melbourne’s Docklands in 2026.
TFE Hotels’ Chief Executive Officer, Antony Ritch, said these hotels offer “one-of-a-kind experiences” that take inspiration from the local culture and surroundings.
“These have a unique model of close owner collaboration, and we are incredibly fortunate to have partnered with Time and Place and MaxCap on a building that will not only become a place maker for Melbourne’s newest lifestyle destination but provide such incredible amenities for the community,” he said.
“What I love about this project is that Hannah St. Hotel will deliver an experience in a neighbourhood that is transforming, thanks to an investment in Australia’s largest cultural infrastructure project, into a truly world-class art precinct.
“Southbank is connected to the best of Melbourne. It has a lot of energy and a real focus on arts, sports, and the outdoors (with 18,000 square metre of additional public gardens set to be delivered) which beautifully complements those iconic Melbourne experiences – shopping, laneways, food, and culture – that we all love so much.”