Flood Barriers Protect Heritage Listed Hotel

To reduce the flood risk of this heritage structure, five FloodFree Passive Tilting Flood Barriers were installed. As identified through flood modelling, strategically positioned barriers were essential to protect people, critical infrastructure and business operations.

Located at the corner of Flinders and King Streets, the iconic Waterside Hotel has occupied a prominent position in Melbourne’s streetscape since 1853. The 613 m² heritage site has undergone a significant transformation, with the original Victorian-era façade carefully restored and retained, while seamlessly integrating modern features and contemporary architectural elements.

The ambitious redevelopment introduced a new basement, a six‑storey vertical expansion and a series of thoughtfully designed public and private spaces, breathing new life into the treasured city landmark. Preserving the building’s heritage significance while delivering modern functionality was a key project objective, requiring carefully coordinated design and early engagement across all technical disciplines.

As part of the redevelopment, flood risk mitigation was identified as a critical consideration. Detailed flood modelling guided the specification and placement of five FloodFree Passive Tilting Flood Barriers to protect both the heritage structure and its modern additions. The barriers were strategically installed at key access points to safeguard occupants, critical infrastructure and business operations during flood events.

FloodFree’s passive tilting barriers are engineered to automatically deploy in response to rising floodwaters, without the need for power or manual intervention. This self‑activating capability ensures reliable protection in urban flood scenarios where rapid response and operational resilience are essential.

Each FloodFree solution is custom‑engineered to suit the specific operational, environmental and aesthetic requirements of its location. For the Waterside Hotel, architectural finishes were carefully selected to integrate discreetly into the restored façade and surrounding streetscape, delivering robust flood protection without compromising the building’s historic character.

Early engagement and strong collaboration across the project team were central to the project’s success. Through a coordinated and considered approach, FloodFree delivered a tailored flood protection solution that enhances the resilience of this significant Melbourne landmark. The Waterside Hotel is now equipped with discreet, effective flood mitigation measures that will help safeguard people, property and ongoing operations for generations to come.