Italian furniture brand Molteni&C has opened a new flagship store in Sydney, bringing its contemporary design collections to one of the Australian city's most established creative neighbourhoods. Located at 532 Riley Street in Surry Hills, the two-storey showroom occupies a 760-square-metre heritage building dating back to the 1890s, marking an important step in the brand's international expansion.
Formerly home to the well-known Porteño restaurant, the building has long been part of Surry Hills' cultural landscape. Today, its next chapter brings together Italian craftsmanship, contemporary interiors and architecture in a setting that reflects the neighbourhood's relaxed sophistication.
The Sydney store is now directly operated by Molteni Australia Pty Ltd, joining the brand's international network of directly managed destinations in cities including London, Paris, Doha, New York, Washington DC, Miami, Lyon and Melbourne. The move reinforces Molteni&C's commitment to bringing its approach to quality living and Italian design to key international markets.
An Architectural Setting For Italian Design
Conceived under the creative direction of Vincent Van Duysen, the flagship is imagined less as a conventional retail environment and more as an “art collector’s house”, where architecture, design and art exist in conversation.
A central glass atrium connects the two floors, drawing natural light deep into the building. As the sun moves across the sky, changing shadows and the shifting tones of the Australian light give the interior a character of its own. The material palette is equally considered, combining light tones, travertine, pale timber and richly textured fabrics. The Arial wall panelling system adds another layer to the calm, tactile environment.
The result is a showroom that brings together the brand's Italian design heritage and the distinctive atmosphere of its Sydney setting.
A Collection Of Contemporary Design
Across the ground floor, visitors are introduced to the Outdoor Collection, with pieces including the Sway sofa and coffee tables by Yabu Pushelberg, alongside the Petalo armchair and Picea by Van Duysen. The journey continues into the indoor living spaces, where the Augusto modular sofa and Louisa coffee tables sit alongside the Continuum armchair by Gio Ponti, part of the Molteni&C Heritage Collection.
The kitchen and dining displays highlight the relationship between craftsmanship and materiality. The sculptural Intersection island in natural stone is paired with the Filigree table and Chelsea chairs by Rodolfo Dordoni. Elsewhere, the Turner modular sofa by Hannes Wettstein anchors a second living area, while the Lise dining table by Christophe Delcourt is accompanied by Monk chairs, originally designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1973 and reinterpreted for the 2025 Collection.
The Night Collection is also represented, with the Tibeau bed by GamFratesi and the Gliss Master walk-in wardrobe system featuring the Meridian Glass Door.
Exploring The First Floor
Upstairs, the Hi-Line 6 Kitchen combines a Super White marble island worktop with Sunrise Oak cabinetry. The adjacent living area features the Cleo sofa, 45° and Pannacotta coffee tables by Ron Gilad, and the Elain armchair by Van Duysen.
Another kitchen composition, Ratio by Van Duysen, explores contrasting finishes through dark elm operational columns, Lunar tall units and a marble worktop and splashback. The dining area introduces the Arc Table by Foster + Partners with Outline chairs.
Further displays include the Asterias table and Glove Up chairs by Patricia Urquiola, as well as the Marteen Sofa by Van Duysen. The bedroom and wardrobe settings complete the experience, featuring the Ribbon bed, Gliss Master system with Glass and Bamboo Door, and the Cinnamoon armchair by Naoto Fukasawa.
Together, the collections create an immersive presentation of Molteni&C's approach to contemporary living. More than a showroom, the Sydney flagship offers a considered encounter with Italian design, craftsmanship and the enduring relationship between furniture and architecture.
Credits
Images: Courtesy of Molteni&C
