The Second

Part luxury stay, part creative residency, The Second is a design-led loft experience tucked inside a heritage warehouse in the heart of Surry Hills.

Occupying the entire second floor of the historic Edwards & Co Ltd building, the 275-square-metre space blends architecture, art and contemporary design to create an immersive place to stay, create and gather. Designed as both a premium short-stay residence and a platform for creative exchange, The Second doubles as a living gallery featuring work from leading Australian and international designers.

The vast century-old warehouse has been reimagined into residential loft living by Australian architect Iain Halliday. Five-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and a mirrored wall maximise light and openness, while direct lift access delivers guests straight into the space.

The centrepiece of the loft is a custom Carrara marble dining table seating up to 20 guests, making it well suited to long dinners, creative gatherings or intimate events. Vintage Murano glass lighting and a glowing Akari installation add warmth to the industrial shell once evening arrives.

Sleeping arrangements are split across the ground floor and mezzanine level. The mezzanine master bedroom features a king bed and ensuite, while a second mezzanine bedroom and ground-floor bedroom provide additional space for guests. A hidden media room tucked inside the building’s original warehouse safe adds an unexpected design detail.

Throughout the loft, carefully selected furniture, objects and artworks give the space a gallery-like atmosphere. Pieces by designers and artists including Tom Fereday, Jorna Newberry, Tanika Jellis, Sophie Vaidie, Chen Ping, Louise Roe and Henry Wilson sit alongside a curated collection from Studio Gardner, creating an environment where every object has been intentionally placed.

Beyond accommodation, The Second also hosts a Creative Residency program designed to bring together artists, designers and thinkers from different disciplines. Each residency invites creatives to spend time living within the space, responding to the environment and sharing ideas through an open-ended process of making and exploration.

Set in one of Sydney’s most dynamic neighbourhoods, The Second places guests within easy reach of Surry Hills’ café, wine bar and restaurant scene, with Foster Street—named one of the world’s coolest streets—just around the corner. You can book online for a minimum two-night stay, with rates starting from $2019.

Image credit: The Second | Website