The Best Seat in the House – Liminal by The Stella Collective
Inspired by the notion of every seat being the ‘best’ in the house, Liminal is a food and beverage offering with a commercial distinction. The Stella Collective conceives the space as a fusing of business and pleasure, a place to gather, meet, make deals and unwind – all brought together through a well-refined and knowing hospitality edge.
The draw to the familiar and the creation of a connection to place is conjured through any number of means, but the feeling like you are seated in the best seat in the house is one of enviable and satisfying proportions. Stirred by this notion and through the embedding of a cocooning warmth within the space, Liminal is imagined as a place that brings people together. Each seating arrangement allows for private meetings as well as for the less formal and more casual settings, ensuring the feeling of privilege is experienced throughout. Set within the heritage walls of the T&H Building in Melbourne’s CBD, the space is situated in what is affectionally known as the ‘Paris end’ of Collins Street. The Stella Collective takes reference from the layered and richly detailed elements of the building’s architectural lineage in proposing a contemporary reiteration that aims to enrich the experience of meeting.
Built by MPA, Liminal sees a series of multi-purpose spaces come together. From dedicated function and meeting spaces to open booths and more solitary runs of tables and banquette seating, the textural and geometric lines break up the space to ensure a sense of intimacy. As a respite from the traditional work environment while also fusing a focus on nurturing, the space is led by its hospitality offerings and embodies warmth in all aspects, elevating the expected daily dining experience.
A palette of warm tones draws from references of vintage and how a familiar aged amber glow adds a welcomed warmth to the heritage setting. Resultingly, tones of tobacco, leather and whiskey are used together with natural and textural timber with pops of vibrant and deep green to reference the natural. Combining itself as a café, meeting and events space, the wine and cheese provedore element additionally aims to further expand on the flexibility of the space and to be a draw for professionals in the area, as its own unique destination.
At the core of Liminal’s mission is to bring people together. Through The Stella Collective’s layered and playful integration of deep and glowing surfaces and textures, the result is a welcomed respite from the busy city outside its walls.
