Melbourne Milestone: Urban Rest Set to Launch CBD Flagship Digital Apart-Hotel

Urban Rest, the Australian founded flexible living disruptor, has unveiled its biggest project to date, signing a HMA to run a 150-key hotel at 23-33 Lonsdale Street in Melbourne CBD. Urban Rest will lead a multimillion dollar refurbishment of the property, reimagining the traditional serviced apartment offering for the modern corporate traveller.

The project marks a significant step for Urban Rest’s next chapter of growth in its home-market of Australia, with the tech-enabled operator planning a relaunch of the property under its core brand as Urban Rest Melbourne CBD in early 2026.

Modernised for Melbourne

Once complete, Urban Rest Melbourne CBD will deliver more space, style, and flexibility than traditional hotels or serviced apartments. Each apartment will be thoughtfully designed with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry, plus plenty of space to work and unwind. Hotel-like onsite amenities including a Peloton gym, residents lounge, and co-working space will strike a perfect balance for both short and long stays.

Backed by a local support team and seamless digital check-in, arrival and departure, every detail has been considered to make work travel feel effortless. This flagship Melbourne launch reflects Urban Rest’s commitment to reshaping corporate stays, offering the comfort of home with the ease of a hotel, right in the heart of the city.

Corporate Demand Meets Urban Rest Design

Melbourne continues to grow as a key corporate hub, with high demand across professional services, creative industries and major infrastructure projects. The Lonsdale Street location is perfectly positioned to meet this demand, offering easy access to the city’s business precincts, dining, and transport links.

David Whelan, Urban Rest’s Founder and CEO, said: “This project represents a massive milestone in our expansion strategy. Urban Rest Melbourne CBD isn’t just about scale, it’s about setting a new benchmark for premium, digitally enabled corporate accommodation in one of the most dynamic cities in the world.”

Domestic Growth, Global Vision

This launch also signals Urban Rest’s growing global momentum, building on the success of delivering corporate stays in key cities across the globe including Sydney, Auckland, London and Dublin. With a pipeline of expansion underway across key business hubs, the Melbourne project is part of a broader strategy to redefine corporate travel at scale.

"We’re seeing a clear shift in what today’s business travellers value - space, flexibility and effortless service," said Jeff Baars, Chief Commercial Officer at Urban Rest. "Urban Rest Melbourne CBD is a step forward in delivering that vision, and it reflects our commitment to reshaping the extended stay experience not just in Australia, but globally."

Urban Rest offers premium and flexible accommodation solutions across the living sector.

An industry-leading technology platform allows Urban Rest to partner with developers and property owners as both a brand and operating solution, powering boutique stays made for the modern corporate traveller.

Operating a portfolio of over 80 properties across Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom, and with a network of over 1,000 blue-chip corporate clients, Urban Rest is reimagining business travel, bringing comfort, consistency and joy to how people travel for work.