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Heart of the Ocean – Portarlington Grand Hotel by Technē Architecture + Interior Design
Walking up from the famous Portarlington Pier, you take a left at the charming main strip and are soon met by the magnificent three-storey Victorian façade of the Portarlington Grand Hotel. So immaculate is the refurbishment of the carved stone and wrought-iron lacework, one could be excused for thinking they had gone back in time.
Originally built in 1888, the hotel was still operational, though in more recent years it had lost all of its grandeur. This changed after it was purchased in 2019 by the Little Group, which enlisted Technē to restore the heritage aspects of the building while revitalising and modernising the internal spaces.
The biggest challenge was the edifice. The majestic original balconies and their gorgeous detailing had been removed. Thus, a second balcony was added to recapture the impressive views over Port Phillip Bay. New casts were made of the original balustrading (found tucked away in the shed), and the whole façade was reappointed in elegant lacework.
Internally, old blends marvellously with new, and key original details are retained. Design elements such as hand-trowelled plaster and botanical carpet evoke a classical sentimentality, resting softly against refined contemporary selections.
Upstairs, the original cramped accommodation and lone shared bathroom were overhauled. Four guestrooms were sacrificed so that the remaining 18 would be spacious and appointed with ensuites, moss blue-green palettes accentuating the ornamental fireplaces and elegant furniture.
The other major addition is the open, light-filled atrium – a separate all-weather dining space, covered by a vaulted, steel-framed translucent ceiling. A mix of rustic and coastal, bright colours flash against cool white and timber to create a relaxed setting.
