Lifestyle hotelier The Standard has confirmed an 8 August 2024 opening date for the group’s newest property, and first of a next-generation of hotels for the brand – The StandardX, Melbourne.
The Standard operates has a presence in Miami, London, and Bangkok, as well as chic outposts in Hua Hin, Ibiza, and the Maldives. An offshoot of the core brand, The StandardX is a new hotel concept for Standard International, which takes the brand back to its youthful roots. The hotelier says The StandardX brand is “re-tailored to fit rough-and-ready modern travel without sacrificing all the quirks that make The Standard so beloved.” Plans are already afoot to expand The StandardX brand to sites in Brooklyn, East Austin, Bangkok and more.
According to Standard International, “The StandardX design is visible through minimalist rooms, complemented by come-hither cultural programming and intuitive hospitality without pretension. The brand boldly selects locations thrumming with cultural pulses to welcome guests into the esoteric worlds of art, fashion, and music scenes. Here, guests aren’t whisked away from the neighbourhood but rather are provided with the keys to unlock its hidden treasures.”
The StandardX, Melbourne is rooted in Fitzroy, “a neighbourhood with a storied history of iconic record stores, sticky-carpeted punk clubs, legendary writers’ haunts, and beloved party spots. The hotel takes inspiration from Fitzroy’s 70s and 80s heyday, when artists like Nick Cave, Ollie Olsen, Stuart Grant and Rowland S. Howard established the Little Band scene and created a hotbed of creative energy where experimental art, music, and culture flourished. And while the area has evolved from its Little Band origins and softened its edges, it’s still a gem.”
The StandardX interiors are led by Melbourne-based interior design firm Hecker Guthrie. Upon entering the lobby through a familiar bold revolving door, the ground floor opens to an airy elevated loft with a fireplace that beckons guests to linger longer. Columns wrapped in macrame by local artist Sarah Smalltown and paintings from Dane Lovett are complemented by custom furniture and antique pieces. A contemporary, uncomplicated aesthetic spans eight floors, where guestrooms are awash with a palette of blue and white while a plush bed sits focally, complemented by a millwork ledge that doubles as a writing corner and open closet. Melbourne’s influence of local talent is unmistakable, with work from artists such as Jane Sinclair.
The property features three food and beverage venues, with Executive Chef Justin Dingle-Garciyya heading BANG, an all-day Thai concept restaurant; The Roof, a secret hideaway accessible exclusively to hotel guests with panoramic views of Fitzroy and Melbourne; and The Box – a retail concept that includes everyday essentials, lifestyle items, as well as snacks and beverages to be enjoyed on-the-go or in room.
Each of the 125 rooms are fitted with features for discerning travellers and blends the grittiness of Fitzroy’s urban fabric with the culture and modern comforts guests know and love from The Standard brand. From an intimate Cozy King to a spacious Suite Spot with unobstructed views of Fitzroy and the city skyline, rooms at The StandardX, Melbourne are designed with a contemporary, uncomplicated aesthetic in mind.
Average rates for The StandardX, Melbourne will range between AU$250-$350 ($160 USD – $225 USD).
See standardx.com/melbourne.
