Sydney to welcome a chic new heritage hotel

The heritage façade of one of Sydney’s most recognisable buildings, Porter House, will become the gateway to a chic new boutique hotel when The Porter House Hotel - MGallery opens in July.

Located on Castlereagh Street, the $94 million luxury hotel occupies the first 10 floors of a 36-storey mixed-use tower within the re-imagined $184 million Porter House precinct. 

Some 131 residential apartments sit above the new MGallery hotel, while a multi-level food and bar precinct has been created within the restored 1870s heritage-listed building itself.

Originally commissioned in 1876 by Australia’s leading tobacco manufacturer Hugh Dixson (also a notable philanthropist and horticulturist), The Porter House started life as Dixson & Sons tobacco factory and warehouse. 

Hotel general manager Joleen Hurst says: “The redeveloped Porter House precinct plays with the concept of intriguing contrasts. By placing two extraordinary buildings together, we have created something remarkably original that we hope local, interstate and international guests will be fascinated by.”

The Porter House Hotel - MGallery has been designed by architect Angelo Candelapas of Candelapas Associates.

An ultra-modern tower has been built around the heritage-listed Porter House on two sides. 

A new walkway has been constructed between the two buildings linking The Porter House with the hotel next door. 

An abstract mural by renowned artist Maria Fernanda Cardosa was commissioned for the exterior wall of the new tower and is believed to be the largest public artwork by an Australian artist in Sydney’s CBD. 

The Porter House Hotel - MGallery will offer 122 guest rooms and suites. 

All suites face Castlereagh Street, some with green glimpses across to Hyde Park, which is an easy walk from the hotel.

All hotel guests will have access to a well-appointed fitness centre and  heated pool located on level 11 of the hotel. The hotel will also debut Digit Valet: an iPad concierge to effectively walk guests through the hotel and Porter House venues.

Three different food and beverage venues now sit across four redeveloped levels within the original building.

Henry’s Bread and Wine will welcome guests on the ground level seven days a week. 

Dixson & Sons, named after The Porter House’s founding merchant family, occupies the first floor of the building. The Porter House’s executive chef Emrys Jones will create a menu that champions local produce. 

On the top level of The Porter House is the Spice Trader cocktail bar. 

MGallery is a collection of design-led boutique hotels. Porter House Hotel - MGallery will become the 11th MGallery in Australia and New Zealand and join a network of 112 MGallery hotels in 36 different countries globally.

Image: Steve Woodburn