Images via Kite Projects.
A retro boutique hotel is coming for Port Adelaide’s accommodation scene, at the vacant Marine and Harbours building along the Port River.
The iconic building, located on St Vincent Street, is set to open in August 2027 and will feature 150 guest rooms and ten floating river suites.
The venue has sat unoccupied for 20 years, until it was bought by Kite Property as part of their Dock One masterplan. Kite managing director, Damon Nagel, said details of the original building will be honoured in the rebuild.
“The building will be stripped back to its concrete bones, and the brutalist architecture will be strongly embraced through the transformation,” he said.
Adelaide-based design consultancy, Enoki is looking after the hotel’s interior, keeping in mind the designs and features of the original hotel.
“The board-form concrete will be kept, as well as the original timber ceilings and can lighting in the lobby.”
The original drinking fountains on each floor will be kept, alongside the Harbour Master’s lookout tower on the rooftop and the original logo, with the new version containing the same typography.
The new facilities planned include a restaurant, rooftop bar, conference spaces, food and beverage, and an open-air cinema.
“The Marine and Harbours Hotel will be an incredibly unique offering, the furthest away from ‘cookie cutter’ and corporate that you can get,” Damon said.
“When guests walk through the doors into the lobby, we want to evoke that instant feeling of warmth with a hint of nostalgia.
“Guests will be able to feel the uniqueness of the hotel and enjoy an unparalleled experience, encapsulated by the retro design.”
Seventy per cent of rooms will have balconies, and the room sizes are particularly large, starting at 40 square metres, rooms will also have 3.5 metre high exposed concrete ceilings.
“Through the design, service, and amenities, guests will be able to experience the iconic spirit of the 1970s.”
A lot of locals may be wondering what will happen to the iconic mural featured on the building’s side wall, put there as part of the Wonderwall project.
“We are working to keep the Wonderwalls art and will be in contact with the artists to discuss an appropriate restoration,” Damon assured.
The demolition portion of the project is now underway, so to stay up to date with the Marine and Harbours Hotel project, visit the Kite website.
Marine and Harbours Hotel
Where: 293 St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide, South Australia
Status: Demolition commencing soon
Opening: August 2027
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