Nimbus Co Fitzroy
Behind a heritage facade on Nicholson Street in Fitzroy North lies a new haven for relaxation and wellbeing.
Designed in collaboration with MIMA Architects, Nimbus Co’s seventh location in Australia – its second in Melbourne – offers private infrared saunas, traditional Finnish saunas and contrast therapy suites, as well as practitioner spaces for allied therapies and an event room for hosting workshops and classes.
Stepping off the busy street, one finds a place of moody quietude rendered in a palette of earthy brown hues and textured finishes. The sculptural marble reception desk, crafted by Gitani Stone, sets the scene for the many thoughtful design details throughout, including lighting by Objects For Thought and Hay, and furniture by Fleur Studios, Life Interiors and Ellison Studios, as well as a custom stained-glass piece by Brunswick-based artist Eloise McCullough of Fools Glass.
In the private saunas, low lighting and Leif bathing products create a calm and considered ambience. Guests can choose between an infrared sauna experience or a traditional Finnish sauna, each with filtered showers by Fettle Effect, while the private contrast therapy suites also include an ice bath to harness the therapeutic benefits of hot and cold for reducing muscle soreness, improving circulation and promoting relaxation.
“Fitzroy is a natural home for Nimbus. It’s a neighbourhood that appreciates conscious living and creativity.”
The design makes the most of the double-height heritage building, with saunas and contrast therapy suites cocooned in a central core on the ground level and practitioner rooms set above, joined by a steel stair. To the rear, a cosy lounge – complete with compression boots, reading materials and complimentary tea – offers a space for guests to unwind following a session. An adjoining pavilion behind the main building is a flexible area that can hold workshops, such as a recent breathwork class, or be activated for community and private events.
Nimbus Co was founded nine years ago in Bondi, Sydney, by nutritionist Su Tuttle and Neil O’Sullivan, who left a corporate career in marketing to focus on mental health. In 2018, the first Melbourne location opened, in partnership with co-owner Eva Kiriakoff, a social-impact entrepreneur who also co-owns the new Fitzroy studio.
“Fitzroy is a natural home for Nimbus. It’s a neighbourhood that appreciates conscious living and creativity,” says O’Sullivan. “A lot of thought, time and care has gone into bringing this space to life. It’s been a real passion project. We wanted to create something that feels restorative and grounded but also culturally connected – where health is woven into the rhythm of daily life, not set apart from it.”
