WELCOME TO THE WATERSIDE

In November 2025, the much-anticipated renovation of The Waterside Hotel was revealed. Anchored on the corner of King and Flinders Streets, the seven-level destination reimagines the classic pub through a lens of global influence and layered experience. From the Public Bar and Beer Garden to rooftop cocktails and a series of private event spaces, The Waterside unfolds as a sequence of distinct yet connected environments, defined by lush terraces and expansive city views.

At its heart is Past / Port, a dining experience shaped by memory, atmosphere and fire. Executive Chef Sarah Chan’s menu celebrates Australian produce through the flavours of Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia – bringing depth, heat and nuance to every dish.

The Waterside Hotel’s design is the result of a close collaboration between Matt Mullins and the Sand Hill Road team, Techne Architects and interior designer Eleisha Gray.

“Whether we’re renovating one room or a two-thousand-person pub, we bring Eleisha to the table on day one,” says Matt, Director of Sand Hill Road. “Her ability to understand, and help shape the vision for a site is essential. She is both creative and original, yet utterly practical in the way she brings ideas to life. The end result is always a space that transcends mere design - one that tells a story and draws people in.”

Tiles played a defining role in shaping that experience. Working closely with Victoria Dowling from National Tiles Corporate team, Eleisha selected from the Urban Atelier range to build a layered and expressive material palette.

“Eleisha came into our Port Melbourne showroom with a clear vision for colour and tone,” explains Victoria. “What made the Urban Atelier range so effective was its flexibility , with such a breadth of colours in a 100 x 100mm format which gave Eleisha the freedom to build nuanced combinations. The custom edges and corners ensured the soft, curved and resolved finish that was so important for the end result.”

Eleisha Gray spoke with National Tiles about the process of bringing the waterside to life.

National Tiles: How did your journey into design begin?

Eleisha Gray: My path into interiors was non- conventional. I began in graphic design, working in advertising studios and magazine art direction.

National Tiles: Creativity has clearly always been part of your path

Eleisha Gray: Absolutely. I think that less linear trajectory has shaped the way I approach interiors. After publishing, I moved into television and set design for short films and commercials, which really expanded how I think about space and storytelling opened my eyes to new ways of seeing.

National Tiles: When did you decide to launch your own studio?

Eleisha Gray: It happened quite organically. Matt Mullins and the team at Sand Hill Road, who are behind the projects I have worked on like Tippy-Tay and The Espy, were familiar with my work in production design. Matt wanted to bring a more human, experiential layer into their hospitality venues. That alignment led naturally into working together as he felt I was the person to fulfil his vision.

National Tiles: That must have been both exciting and challenging.

Eleisha Gray: Working in film was incredible training. Long days on set, working towards a very specific outcome - it teaches you how to problem-solve and refine quickly. I also worked closely with Techne, which gave me a strong understanding of the architectural process. It allowed me to focus not just on fixtures and finishes, but on creating a personality and a point of view within a space.

National Tiles: That collaboration led into The Waterside. How did you approach it?

Eleisha Gray: Matt was very much the visionary, like a film director, and I approached the project as a series of scenes that knit together into a cohesive whole. Matt cares as deeply about the finer details as I do, and I think that's exactly what it takes to keep producing hospitality venues that genuinely have a point of difference. . For The Waterside, we approached the design through an experiential lens where we considered how people would move through the space and what they would feel at every turn. This was the philosophy behind the restaurant. Past / Port is a journey through a cinematic narrative of the 1960s and 70s in South East Asia. We wanted to capture a sense of romance and adventure from that era, and build a palette and narrative that supported it.

National Tiles: National Tiles: You really feel transported within the space.

Eleisha Gray: Yes! You can’t take it all in at once, and that’s intentional. I want people to return and notice something new each time. I’ve sat in every position throughout the venue, carefully considering sightlines and layering visual moments so the space gradually unveils itself.

National Tiles: Let’s talk about materials – how did tiles factor into your process?

Eleisha Gray: Very early on in the process I use paint and fabric swatches as my starting point. From there, tiles are fundamental – critical in building out texture, tone and pattern. When I visited the Port Melbourne showroom to meet with Victoria, I brought my little kit of samples and trinkets that travel with me everywhere, so I can always reference the original design premise.

The Urban Atelier range immediately stood out. It had the depth of colour options I needed. I selected key tones, then worked with variations around them to create subtle shifts and combinations. Being able to take samples of those tiles with me was so important for when I'm sourcing props and decorative items that I might find at auctions or vintage stores. I can quickly mix it up the colour story.

National Tiles: The curved tile edges are a standout – was that intentional?

Eleisha Gray: Absolutely. It was such a win when we found out we could get those. The curves really softened the space. It was incredible the difference it made. There are so many columns throughout the venue and they were originally raw concrete. By rethinking the way we laid the 100 x 100mm tiles and creating considered colour combinations, each level of the hotel has its own identity, but still feels connected.

The manufacturer is in Portugal and the timeline was very tight, so National Tiles airfreighted in the custom pieces. With any project of this scale budgets are tight, so I was so impressed when we could order the Urban Atelier range and achieve the perfect look at the right price and still meet the deadline.

National Tiles: Were tiles used throughout the entire space?

Eleisha Gray: Yes – from ground level through to level five, across columns and bar backs, including within the restaurant, Past / Port. They really unify the entire venue.

 

National Tiles: Now that the project is complete, what has been most rewarding?

Eleisha Gray: I think just the joy of being able to reimagine an old site and bring it into the future whilst honouring the past. It's such a unique concept. Matt had this vision of creating a space that could look in on itself, like a big modern doll's house. It definitely transports you back to another time. What I enjoy most is watching people move through the space and engage with it – seeing those moments of connection and discovery.

National Tiles: What’s next for you?

Eleisha Gray: It’s all interesting and exciting. I’m working on the Windsor Castle in Windsor which is a small, two storey pub - it’s an icon in area and we’re staying true to its history. And The Snakepit – also iconic to the area.

National Tiles: Do you feel each project carries your signature?

Eleisha Gray: I think so. That human touch, like a human experience and tapping into all the senses, I feel like that’s sort of my go-to on every project, no matter what it is.

The Waterside. Open to everyone, inspired by everywhere. 508 Flinders Street, Melbourne.

Open seven days a week, 11.30am – late. www.watersidehotel.com.au

Credits:

Architecture & Interior Design: Techne
Creative Direction, Interior Design & Curation: Eleisha Gray
Photography: Caitlin Mills Photography