Hickory to restore iconic Kilkenny Inn, launching $350m office tower at 580 Lonsdale

Hickory has officially received planning endorsement for 580 Lonsdale, a 21-level, A-grade office building that will re-activate a landmark heritage corner in Melbourne’s CBD by restoring the iconic Kilkenny Inn.

Built in 1915 and known for its rounded balcony corner on King Street, the Kilkenny Inn was a social meeting place and boisterous bar with a loyal following.

After the building was damaged in a fire earlier this year, Hickory has worked closely with the Melbourne City Council and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to ensure the heritage façade is maintained, with a mission to restore the iconic corner pub.

Hickory, in collaboration with COX Architecture, will restore the original facade and work with a hospitality partner to re-establish this important corner of Melbourne. Upon completion, the restored Kilkenny Inn will open into the building lobby to energise the arrival experience and evoke the charm and atmosphere of the classic pub with a fresh, modern twist. The space will provide a local meeting place for informal meetings, flexible working and after-work catch-ups.

Michael Argyrou, Hickory CEO said “Hickory is proud to be restoring the iconic Kilkenny Inn to its former glory, transforming King Street into a lively and sophisticated social hub.

“We’re pleased to announce the launch of this incredible commercial development, which will integrate Kilkenny’s heritage-listed façade and set a new standard of office design in Melbourne. At Hickory, we strive to create better places for future communities, and 580 Lonsdale will be no exception.

“King Street is currently undergoing monumental change, and Hickory is at the forefront of this evolution. 580 Lonsdale will act as a true cornerstone project for the area, adding to several premium development and building projects we are currently undertaking.”

The restoration of the Kilkenny Inn will integrate seamlessly into Hickory’s 580 Lonsdale development, which will rise from this iconic landmark to provide an elevated workplace in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct.

Situated on a 1,700 square-metre corner site with a Lonsdale and King Street frontage, the 80-metre mixed-use development will offer 24,000 square metres of office space, 623 square metres of ground and first-floor retail space, and three levels of basement car parking.

Prioritising sustainability and flexible working, tenants will have access to world-class end-of- trip facilities, landscaped outdoor terraces, social hubs and a dedicated health and wellness centre.

Targeting a 6-star NABERS and Green Star rating, 580 Lonsdale has been designed with sustainability front of mind, implementing various sustainability tools and new building innovations to allow the building to better regulate temperature and power consumption.

The development project will add to Hickory’s existing presence in the area, with the company recently receiving funding to develop another world-class office destination at 570 Little Bourke Street that will commence construction in late 2022. Hickory is also building ICD Property’s Aspire tower at 299 King Street, and Melbourne’s first Meriton Suites Hotel at 140 King Street.