This multistage project involved the full-scale heritage rehabilitation of a 1900s timber warehouse as part of its conversion into a boutique hotel. Metro Deco’s involvement commenced with the rehabilitation of six levels of existing heritage structure, requiring highly detailed restoration works while carefully integrating modern structural and building requirements.
Over 200 original timber-framed windows were carefully removed from the building and individually stripped back, with some containing up to 10 layers of historic paint. Each window was meticulously repaired and rehabilitated before undergoing paint analysis to identify the original colour scheme. The windows were then repainted and carefully reinstated throughout the building.
The building’s primary structure was almost entirely timber, with timber floors supported by timber joists, beams and columns across each level. Extensive structural strengthening was undertaken throughout, including the installation of new steel beams, angles and other structural elements while retaining and protecting the existing heritage fabric.
The existing fire stairs were also carefully rehabilitated, with each step restored and sealed before being integrated with the new fire-rated steel stair construction. A completely new lift shaft was constructed through the existing building, including the decommissioning of the original lift infrastructure.
The project required a balance of heritage conservation, structural strengthening and modern hotel requirements, with each stage carefully sequenced around the existing building and its retained fabric.
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