Located in the heart of St Kilda, The Ante is a boutique short- and long-stay accommodation development with penthouse suites, designed to connect guests with the character, culture and coastal appeal of one of Melbourne’s most iconic neighbourhoods. The six-level development combines private guest suites with St Kilda, creating opportunities to connect, unwind and experience urban Melbourne, while offering a considered retreat from the energy of Fitzroy Street.
The architecture draws on St Kilda’s rich historical context, reinterpreting the proportions, materiality and industrial character of its heritage buildings through a contemporary lens.
A robust brick façade, complemented by steel-framed windows, establishes a dialogue with the neighbourhood’s traditional cottages, terraces and Art Deco architecture. Depth, texture and carefully considered detailing give the building a sense of permanence, while the use of locally made materials reinforces its connection to Melbourne.
At street level, the entry creates a deliberate pause between the public realm and the interior, establishing a strong sense of arrival and transition. Greenery and integrated planters soften the façade, introduce seasonal variation and provide privacy, while arched forms bring a subtle curvilinear expression that references the surrounding architecture and coastal landscape.
Internally, simple, repeatable suite layouts reinterpret the familiar proportions and domesticity of inner-Melbourne homes, elevated to meet contemporary expectations of comfort and flexibility. The result is a distinctive urban retreat that celebrates St Kilda’s architectural heritage while offering a contemporary place to stay, connect and experience the neighbourhood.
