Six Senses Burnham Beeches, the first Six Senses property in Australia, is slated to open in mid-2025, subject to receiving the support of all stakeholders.

The property will be housed in a heritage mansion and 22-hectare estate located 40 kilometers from Melbourne, Victoria, in the hills of the Dandenong Ranges. It will initially offer 43 guest accommodations and hospitality venues, including a welcome lounge and terrace, a restaurant with outdoor seating, a library bar, and a rooftop retreat encased by garden planters.

The mansion, which was designed in 1933 by architect Harry Norris for the Nicholas “Aspro” family, is one of the finest examples of domestic Art Deco in Australia. Spread across the mansion’s three wings, guestrooms will feature individual layouts and a design that blends the original Art Deco details with contemporary, classically elegant touches. A separate two-bedroom cottage with interconnecting one-bedroom suite with the site’s Hilltop Retreat will also be available to guests.

In addition, the masterplan for Six Senses Burnham Beeches will incorporate a premium and unique glamping offer – subject to planning applications – that will bring the total accommodations up to 82.

Other features planned for the resort, include:

• Farm gardens that will provide fruit and vegetables for the resort’s restaurants;
• a herb garden producing healing and aromatic plants for use in Alchemy Bar workshops and Six Senses Spa treatments;
• Six Senses Spa on the lower ground level of the mansion with welcome lounge, boutique, tea lounge, treatment rooms, gym, hydro area, sauna and relaxation spaces;
• and a Village Square, which will serve as the heart of the property and give hotel guests access to a range of additional venues (The Hearth, The Barn, Steak House, The Baker, Brew House, and Providore).

“For Six Senses Burnham Beeches to be regenerative, it will not be a static place,” says Neil Jacobs, CEO, Six Senses. “We’ll evolve and respond to bring the rich heritage of Burnham Beeches to life, inviting moments of exploration, discover, connection to nature, and delight through interactive gastronomy, wellness, and sustainability experiences.”

Trenerry Consortium announced its acquisition of Burnham Beeches in early 2021. The project team includes development manager Trenerry Property; principal architects Woods Bagot; noted Australian builders Hamilton Marino managing the restoration and build; and landscape architects Oculus.

Sophie Paterson, great-granddaughter of original Alfred Nicholas, is serving as the project’s community liason consultant. “As a family, we are so excited at the prospect of our beloved family home finally being restored,” she says. “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.”