Okay it wasn’t actually a house-warming party per se, but it was a chance for the world’s leading travel media company to finally showcase its gorgeous new office space on the fringes of Melbourne’s CBD.
Occupying levels two and three of The Malt Store (the heritage-listed former Carlton & United Breweries site) at 551 Swanston Street in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Carton, Lonely Planet‘s new Australian Headquarters is a dynamic office space that simultaneously pays homage to the spirit of travelling whilst still being functional – it is an office after all.
It’s been three months since Lonely Planet packed up their bags over in Footscray in Melbourne’s inner west and started their new life smack bang in the heart of Melbourne. So to celebrate their new pad, key players in the travel industry and media, including KarryOn, were invited for an exclusive tour of the new office space led by Lonely Planet’s Director of Sales and Marketing (Asia Pacific), Chris Zeiher, followed by morning tea.
Chris Zeiher, Director of Sales and Marketing (Asia Pacific), Lonely Planet
And what a morning tea it was! Oh, those muffins!
Lonely Planet worked closely with the acclaimed Siren Design Group to create one the most visually appealing and inspiring work environments period. From Japanese and Icelandic-themed meeting rooms, to a meeting space inspired by the lush steaming jungles of Borneo, this was one office I didn’t want to leave.
Conceived as a journey that begins in the lobby room, where “arrivals” and “departures” signs make you feel as if you’re at an airport, the entire design of the space is infused with that iconic Lonely Planet spirit of discover and explore – which is a good thing for the Melbourne-based Lonely Planet staff, who, we’re told by Zeiher, don’t really get to travel all that much!
This was the actual typewriter the founders of LP used to create their first ever guidebook.
The new office space has used a lot of reclaimed and recycled furniture from Lonely Planet’s previous office in Footscray (e.g., old table bases and lounges), and all of the products and materials used throughout its two levels were chosen for their sustainability. Also, to minimise the need for powered light, workstations are arranged in a way that capitalises on natural light.
The cool inner city location means Lonely Planet staff are only a short hop, skip and a jump away from quality coffee – it is in Melbourne, after all. And moving from Footscray to Swanston Street in Carlton also means staff can take public transport to the office instead of driving.
#WINNING
According to Zeiher, Lonely Planet had its best year yet in the Australian market in terms of guidebook sales in 2015. And next year, Zeiher continues, the world’s leading travel media company is expected to have its best year yet globally, with guidebook sales expected to break all previous records in the company’s 43 year history.
The lobby
Lonely Planet’s new HQ is open to the public, so do drop by the next time you’re in town and pray at the undoubted church of travel.
Check out more photos of the new Lonely Planet headquarters below:
Do you have office envy?