Monaco House was designed by McBride Charles Ryan, in close consultation with the Consul-General. It was completed in 2007. On a site of just 101 square metres, Monaco House is four storeys high. It is situated at the ‘Paris end’ of the Melbourne CBD, on a pedestrian lane called Ridgway Place. Monaco House overlooks the historic Melbourne Club red brick wall, with its private garden’s lush foliage and mature trees creating a quiet haven.
The building houses a ground floor café and two levels of offices, with the Honorary Consul-General and Consular Attaché occupying the top floor. Within the office, large apertures are shaded by deep balconies overlooking leafy plane trees. Outdoor balconies, abundance of natural light and the green rooftop garden, provide areas of release from the office. This building is an example of something small having a large impact and creating value with detail.
The design was personally approved by H.S.H. Prince Albert II and was the first building to be granted naming rights outside of Monaco.
Monaco House is included in weekly walking tours and café culture tours and is on university curriculums.
Awards
International Architecture Awards
2010 The Chicago Athenaeum/Europe
Australian Institute of Architects
National Annual Awards
2008 Commercial Architecture Award
Australian Institute of Architects
Victorian Chapter Annual Awards
2008 Sir Osborn McCutcheon Award
Commercial Architecture
Victorian State of Design Awards
2008 Premier’s Design Mark
Commercial Architecture