Karringbush Hotel: Heritage Meets Modern Design by DesignOffice

In the inner suburbs of Melbourne, Abbotsford, the Karringbush Hotel was thoughtfully reimagined by DesignOffice as a multifaceted space for living, working, and socializing—where the beloved Victorian-era pub meets an elegant contemporary interior. The renovation balances civic generosity with private functionality, creating a flexible showcase and living space while preserving the area's important landmark.

Historical Context

Built in the late 19th century, Karringbush has long served as a local landmark within Abbotsford's social fabric. Any intervention had to respect the building’s historical structure—preserved plaster, brick, and proportions—while responding to evolving needs. The brief was to revitalize the building without destroying its memory: the design had to respectfully acknowledge the pub's role, allowing new living and showcase programs to flourish.

DesignOffice Vision

The company’s approach was rooted in authenticity and modesty. The Collingwood football club room on the ground floor was reimagined as a salon capable of hosting fashion shows and guests; the first floor offers a calm, light-filled private area. The studio presented furniture integrated into the structure—inserted rather than imposed—ensuring new elements accentuate rather than compete with the old.

Interior and Color Palette

A deliberately quiet palette allows the historical shell to remain dominant: restored wooden floors, natural white walls and ceilings, soft grey tones gently delineating openings. Glossy steel railings are perceived as a unified sculptural gesture in the sequence of entry, while tactile layers—wood, painted plaster, carefully crafted furniture—add a sense of homey comfort. Lighting is tuned for intimacy and display, allowing easy transitions between everyday life and showcase mode.

Spatial Organization

The plan prioritizes clarity and flexibility. The central staircase serves as a support for movement, coordinating transitions between public and private spaces. On the first level, adaptive zones accommodate events, installations, and informal meetings; on upper floors, a calm sequence of rooms supports living and focused work. Storage, kitchen zone, fold-out bed, and hidden bathroom are tucked within furniture, ensuring utility without visual clutter.

Community-Focused Hospitality

A key aspect of the project was retaining the pub as an important tenant, protecting the building’s civic significance. The renovation restores key elements while introducing a modern layer that is resilient to wear and has low impact—effective lighting, modest finishes, and thoughtful reuse where possible—to ensure the building continues to serve the neighborhood with minimal ecological footprint. This adaptive use, rooted in community benefit rather than spectacle, is a model for dense urban development.

Atmosphere and Guest Experience

The experience is intentionally calm: a backdrop for conversations, gatherings, and presentations. Maintaining measured expression—light decor, heavy craftsmanship—the interiors create a sense of belonging and slowed time. This is an extension of Karringbush’s history, not a rewrite: guests encounter the familiar character of a Melbourne pub but with modern comfort and versatility.

Why This Project Matters

In a city proud of its pub culture, DesignOffice demonstrates how historical buildings can evolve without losing authenticity. Karringbush shows that adaptive reuse can be commercially flexible (showcase space + living + pub) and culturally generous, offering a replicable model for mixed-use development in dense urban areas.

Awards and Recognition

• Recognized — Australian Interior Design Awards 2021 (Residential Design)
• Finalist — Houses Awards 2021 (Historic Context Home)

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