Restoring a significant 1930s commerical legal chambers for hotel use

A key element of the interior is the main chamber, now the hotel dining room — a revealed/retrieved space that had become compromised over time. A new mezzanine and stair have been inserted, improving circulation. Other interventions in the building include new openings in the vaulted entrance lobby, and conversion of the former boardroom and office on level one for use as hotel suites. Overall, the scheme for the heritage fabric retains and integrates the richness and detail of the 1930s interiors throughout the lobby and circulation spaces.

Internal conservation works included the repair of original decorative features, such as timber veneers in the lift cars, carved timber doors and surrounds, timber panelling, and bronze grilles. Missing elements reinstated include the lift indicator panels, call buttons, the mail box and the fire alarm panels. In the rooms adapted as bedrooms, ensuite doors are concealed behind the original panelling. Contemporary finishes include freestone sourced from the original quarry.

In response to a condition of the heritage permit issued by Heritage Victoria for the transformation of the former commercial office building into an hotel, Lovell Chen undertook a review and update of the 2010 conservation management plan on completion of the works. The CMP reconsiders the significance of the building in light of the substantial change brought about by redevelopment and includes revised policies for the management of heritage fabric and future change.

Equity Chambers is historically associated with the legal profession, as the main tenants on the upper floors were lawyers. This and other aspects of the building's story are the subject of the Lovell Chen-developed interpretation plan. Working with the design team our heritage consultants developed themes and a whole of site approach that architecturally integrated interpretative elements to achieve a coherent and authentic experience.