Six Senses to make Aussie debut with dreamy art deco mansion

By Alexandra Coulton

Six Senses will open its first Australian property, converting Burnham Beeches, an art deco heritage mansion designed by architect Harry Norris in 1933, into a boutique hotel.

Set to open in mid-2025, Six Senses Burnham Beeches will initially feature 43 guest accommodations with plans to also introduce a premium glamping offer that would bring the total accommodations to 82.

The property is located on a 22-hectare estate about 40 kilometres from Melbourne in the Dandenong Ranges and neighbouring Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens.

The original three-story mansion, which is reminiscent of an ocean liner, will be refreshed to reflect a contemporary interpretation of “classic elegance” featuring bespoke craftsmanship and panelling that will contrast with “unexpected décor and curiosities”.

Think playful and patterned spaces reminiscent of the mansion’s original Art Deco flamboyance.

Guest rooms will feature individual layouts with a rustic-luxe vibe spread over the mansion’s three main wings plus a separate two-bedroom cottage with interconnecting one-bedroom suite within the site’s Hilltop Retreat.

Hospitality venues will include a welcome lounge and terrace, a restaurant with outdoor seating, a library bar, and a rooftop retreat encased by garden planters, plus sprawling farm gardens will provide fruit and vegetables for the restaurants and a herb garden will produce healing and aromatic plants for use in Alchemy Bar workshops and Six Senses Spa treatments.

Artist’s impression of Six Senses Burnham Beeches (supplied)

“For Six Senses Burnham Beeches to be regenerative, it will not be a static place,” said Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs.

“We’ll evolve and respond to bring the rich heritage of Burnham Beeches to life, inviting moments of exploration, discovery, connection to nature, and delight through interactive gastronomy, wellness, and sustainability experiences.”

Trenerry Consortium announced its acquisition of Burnham Beeches in early 2021 and has since assembled an industry-leading project team, including development manager Trenerry Property; principal architects Woods Bagot; noted Australian builders Hamilton Marino managing the restoration and build; and landscape architects Oculus.

Serving as community liaison consultant, Sophie Paterson, great-granddaughter of the original Alfred Nicholas, said the family is excited by the prospect of their beloved family home finally being restored.

“Sitting neglected for far too long, this beautiful heritage home needs to be shared, and we could not be more pleased with the involvement of Six Senses as its new custodians,” Paterson said.

The Trenerry Consortium’s masterplan also includes plans for a ‘Village Square’, to give hotel guests access to an additional collection of venues, each with a rustic charm and staying true to the self-sufficient approach of the Nicholas family.

Guests will also be able to explore the historical, ecological, cultural, and indigenous stories from Burnham Beeches and the Wurundjeri and Kulin nation lands, incorporated into the art, architecture, signage, and landscaping throughout the grounds.

Featured image: burnhambeeches.com.au

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Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens Burnham Beeches Dandenong Ranges Harry Norris Neil Jacobs Six Senses Sophie Paterson