IHG’s sustainability and wellness-centred brand Six Senses has announced its first Australian property in Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges.
Burnham Beeches, a heritage mansion on a 22-hectare estate which was acquired by Trenerry Consortium in early 2021, will be restored over the coming years before reopening as Six Senses Burnham Beeches in mid-2025.
Designed by architect Harry Norris for the Nicholas “Aspro” Family in 1933, the property is reported to be one of the finest examples of domestic Art Deco in the country.
The grand estate will offer accommodation for 43 guests, a welcome lounge and terrace, restaurant with outdoor seating, library bar, and rooftop retreat.
Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs said the restoration project will establish a sustainable model for the future.
“For Six Senses Burnham Beeches to be regenerative, it will not be a static place,” he said.
“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.”
A project and design team from Woods Bagot has been commissioned to restore Burnham Beeches to its former glory. With a contemporary take on classic elegance, interiors will celebrate bespoke craftsmanship and unexpected decor.
“The design, programming, and activation will be influenced by Burnham Beeches’ historical, social, and ecological traits and patterns, as well as respond to feedback from the local community,” said Woods Bagot Principal Architect and local resident, Bronwyn McColl.
Throughout the mansion’s three main wings there will be a variety of guests rooms with differing layouts and quirky touches. A two-bedroom cottage with interconnecting one-bedroom suite will sit within the site’s Hilltop Retreat. There are also plans to introduce a premium glamping around the Hilltop Retreat to offer an eco-friendly alternative to staying at the mansion.
Also on the grounds, the farm gardens will provide fruit and vegetables for the restaurants and plants from the herb garden will be used in Alchemy Bar workshops and Six Senses Spa treatments.
Celebrating nature in all its beauty will be a key part of the guest experience at Six Senses Burnham Beeches. Children will have the opportunity to play and learn at a tactile nature playground onsite, and adults will be encouraged to explore trails and discover historical, ecological, cultural, and Indigenous stories from the Wurundjeri and Kulin lands, which will be incorporated into the art, architecture, signage, and landscaping.
On the wellness front, a lower ground level spa with garden views will feature a welcome lounge and boutique, tea lounge, treatment rooms, gym, hydro area and sauna, and relaxation spaces. There will also be a separate pool house.
Plans for the site also include a Village Square, which will feature a collection of venues for guests to enjoy including The Hearth, The Barn, Steak House, The Baker, Brew House, and Providore.
“We now have a dedicated and world-class team passionate about activating the site as it was always intended to be,” said Trenerry Director, Robert Dicintio.
“As plans progress, a key strategy of the Consortium continues to be to engage and listen to the local community and Council, Heritage Victoria, and Parks Victoria.”
The property retains a strong connection to the original owners with Sophie Paterson, great-granddaughter of the original owner Alfred Nicholas, serving as Community Liaison consultant.
“As a family, we are so excited at the prospect of our beloved family home finally being restored,” she said.
“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.”