Green Makeover
Following a $15 million transformation, the 135-year-old Lord Stanley Hotel in East Brisbane has been reimagined into one of Australia’s greenest hospitality destinations. As part of this ambitious redevelopment, Sempergreen was selected to deliver two large-scale feature green walls totalling 105 square metres—adding life, depth, and a distinct identity to the venue’s indoor and outdoor spaces.
Living architecture at its best
Installed by Ecovolve Landscape & Design, the vertical gardens showcase around 7,000 individually selected plants, arranged in a wave-shaped design that responds to sun orientation and seasonal change. Designed using the SemperGreenwall system, the living walls combine aesthetic appeal with ecological function – cooling the environment, enhancing biodiversity and contributing to a lush, immersive atmosphere.
“The integration of automated irrigation and a precision fertiliser dosing system ensures optimal plant health and minimal maintenance, even under Brisbane’s challenging subtropical conditions.”
A complex vision, brought to life
Set within tight deadlines and constrained site access, the project involved detailed coordination across multiple trades. The overall landscaping effort included not just the green walls, but also a complete outdoor transformation, with over 13,000 plants added to the site, including mature 6-metre Pandanus and Phoenix canariensis palms, delivered by crane onto the rooftop terrace.
Reviving a Brisbane icon into a landmark of green design
What once was a heritage hotel is now a lush urban oasis. An exemplar of modern green hospitality. The vertical gardens stand as a statement piece for the venue, while the surrounding landscape —featuring over 78 plant species— creates a visually rich and climate-resilient environment for guests to enjoy.
This project reflects Sempergreen’s commitment to sustainable design, local collaboration, and future-proof landscaping.
Project details
Architect: BSPN Architects
Client: Lord Stanley Hotel (part of Hakfoort Group)
Builder: MCD
Installation SemperGreenwalls: Ecovolve Landscape & Design
Photography: Artem Kuznetsov
