The Botanical is born again

Melbourne's The Botanical is set to close its doors after service next Wednesday, June 2, for a renovation expected to take more than four months. There will be an auction of all the furniture and major fittings the following week before architect Webb Plus starts work on an overhaul, says Lyndon Waples, chief executive of new owner Colonial Leisure. "In essence, what we're trying to do is turn the Bot back into the Botanical Hotel rather than the assumption in people's minds that it's a restaurant with a bar attached. We're aiming to create more of a hotel-bar-style feel." As for the restaurant, which in its heyday was one of Melbourne's finest: "It will still be a premium restaurant, it's just that the focus will change." Stay tuned.

Source: The Age