Lord Stanley Hotel

The Challenge

The project involved a range of complex challenges including strict time constraints, coordination with multiple trades, and adherence to council planting requirements. Soil quality needed significant improvement to support the diverse plant palette. One of the most demanding tasks was the installation of mature trees such as 6-meter-tall, 7-ton Pandanus and 5.5-meter Phoenix canariensis Canary Island palms, all within a restricted-access site that required rooftop delivery. The wave-shaped vertical garden design added further complexity, requiring precise plant selection to accommodate sun movement throughout the year. The creation of a lush tropical beer garden also demanded detailed attention to light exposure, shade distribution, and microclimates across the site.

The Solution

We executed a full landscape solution including detailed design, vertical garden installation, automated irrigation, and advanced horticultural servicing. A total of 78 different plant species were selected and strategically placed based on their light and environmental needs—ranging from full sun to deep shade. An automated dosing system was installed to ensure consistent and accurate fertilizer delivery tailored to tropical plants. The vertical garden was designed with a dynamic wave form and planted with approximately 7,000 individual plants. The beer garden featured 1,010 tropical plants, creating an immersive, lush environment. An additional 5,000 plants were installed across the wider outdoor landscape, bringing the total plant count to over 13,000, making this one of the most ambitious planting schemes for the site.

‍

The Success

The result is a thriving, visually striking landscape that balances design innovation with ecological sensitivity. The vertical garden has become a signature element, performing well year-round thanks to thoughtful species selection and positioning. The beer garden delivers a bold tropical aesthetic that’s both inviting and resilient. Mature tree installations, including large Pandanus and Phoenix canariensis (Canary palms), were successfully executed despite limited access. The automated systems ensure minimal maintenance requirements and long-term health of the plantings. Delivered on schedule and exceeding client expectations, the project stands as a showcase of high-performance landscaping under complex conditions.