Maison Batard

Unapologetically boujee, boozy, and decadent. 

A future classic, Maison Batard is 8 years in the making and a lifetime of dreaming what’s possible. A design collaboration between Chris and Sarah Lucas, Mitchell & Eades, and Mills Gorman Architects.

Situated in the Heritage building of 23 Bourke Street, Melbourne’s finest and most talented artisans have worked tirelessly for almost 8 years to restore this iconic building.

“In the spirit of classic French styling, we have honoured the heritage, grandeur, and charm of the original building and imbued it with a modern edge and vivacity. This philosophy has informed every aspect of the design for Maison Batard, where texture, luxury, and comfort play pivotal roles. The result is Chris and Sarah’s four-level love letter to Melbourne that celebrates their affinity with French inspired style, dining, and celebration…we all know how much they like to throw a good party!” – Mitchell & Eades Design Team

Guests enter the venue and are immediately met by a feeling of grand luxury: a sweeping staircase forming a vortex within the building, allowing multifarious opportunities to explore each of the four luxurious levels.

The Basement Club is decadent and unapologetic. With red velvet walls, ceilings, and furniture, and extravagant details such as Jacques Garcia lights and Persian rugs adorning the dark stained French oak floor. A unique design, the Verde marble bar provides the perfect setting for guests to watch renowned bartenders mix perfect cocktails, while immersing themselves in the live music from the nearby stage.

The Ground Floor boasts a classic yet contemporary French palette, with travertine and marble inlay floors, dark panelled walls, taupe vaulted ceilings with deep cornice details, and marble bench tops that pay homage to the French originals. A 13-metre open kitchen with bronze canopy and an adjacent oyster counter bar is purposefully positioned as the backdrop of the space, buzzing with activity. The bar, with its curvaceous Calacutta Paonazzo bench top and aged smoked mirror backdrop, is minimal yet sultry in the most delicious way, complimented by leather, velvet, and effortless stud detailing.

The First Floor has a subdued salon style setting, with French oak herringbone floors, a restored Parisian chandelier sitting atop a feature marble table, curved ceilings, and two bars.  There is also a mezzanine offering guests their own private party space with a dedicated bar.

On La Terrasse, the top, Second Floor, stunning French doors reveal a central courtyard reminiscent of a Chanel boutique, with a feature 50-year-old Maple tree and landscaped garden setting by renowned Paul Bangay. Surrounding the courtyard is a large marble fireplace, velvet lounges, Hali rugs and Jacques Garcia wall lights, which cast an intimate charm. The sunken bar contains a central island, to showcase top shelf spirits and intimate musical performances.

A true journey of discovery, working with Chris and Sarah Lucas; they undertook several trips to all parts of Europe to source the special and personal pieces that would bring life, happiness, and a sense of authenticity to the magic that is the interior of Maison Batard.

Here, seeing is believing.

“Melbourne is my home and I have dedicated the best part of my life to this city. A city that I love so much and have so many amazing memories of. My new Maison has taken years to come to life and has absorbed much of my creative energy and now the time is here for us to open the doors…I see this lifetime of work as my gift to Melbourne.” Chris Lucas.