How you can snoop around Melbourne’s mind-blowing secret mansion

Burnham Beeches mansion in Sherbrooke hasn’t been open to the public in more than 20 years. Located just an hour out of Melbourne, the art-deco residence was built in 1933 as a home for industrialist Alfred Nicholas and his family, but later went on to be a research centre, a children’s hospital and a luxury hotel.

Since then, the majestic structure has stood silent and empty, slowly falling into disrepair, until Melbourne street artist Tyrone Wright – known as Rone – transformed it into a fully-immersive public art installation that will blow your mind.

The Study. EMPIRE Open 6 March - 22 April. Tickets on sale now. (Link in bio) #visitdandenongranges #visitmelbourne #visitvictoria #australia #empirerone #rone So many people to thank who made this all possible. @chefbennett23 & Adam Garrison for the building. @visitmelbourne @visitdandenongranges for the support. @cjspooner styling @nickbatterham sound @looseleaf__ organic sculpture @katsnowden scent @lesterfrancois VR @phoria.io AR @piggerycafeburnhambeeches @vueevents catering @thesocialcrew Event management @common___state PR @just__have__fun @ahh.wil.son Assistants @callumpreston Build @sandrewmelbs @alicegoulter consulting @marshallmakeup admin & production @defero video @final_grade post production/colour grade @wagneraustralia spray equipment @mgiesser media design

Famous for painting murals of women’s faces on buildings tagged for demolition, Tyrone Wright has been given free reign to transform the inside of the mansion into a series of haunting rooms and scenes that boggle the mind.

The Dining Room. EMPIRE Open 6 March - 22 April. Tickets on sale now. (Link in bio) #visitdandenongranges #visitmelbourne #visitvictoria #australia #empirerone #rone So many people to thank who made this all possible. @chefbennett23 & Adam Garrison for the building. @visitmelbourne @visitdandenongranges for the support. @cjspooner styling @nickbatterham sound @looseleaf__ organic sculpture @katsnowden scent @lesterfrancois VR @phoria.io AR @piggerycafeburnhambeeches @vueevents catering @thesocialcrew Event management @common___state PR @just__have__fun @ahh.wil.son Assitants @callumpreston Build @sandrewmelbs @alicegoulter consulting @marshallmakeup admin & production @defero video @final_grade post production/colour grade @wagneraustralia spray equipment @mgiesser media design

The art installation is called ‘Empire’ and it’s showing at Burnham Beeches mansion from March 6 to April 22, 2019. Entry tickets start at just $10 for children under 15, $13 for concession and $15 for adults. For those looking for a more eerie experience, there are night-time sessions available that include access to a bar within the property.

For the past year I have been working in secret on an installation inside the Burnham Beeches mansion and now has come the time to invite you all to see EMPIRE. This work is well beyond what I have created in the past. I have once again teamed up with interior stylist @cjspooner across 12 of the estate's otherwise empty spaces. Complementing Spooner's film set-like styling is a series of stunning botanical installations by design studio @looseleaf__ that reference each season and reflect the perpetual life and death cycles of nature and the estate's surrounding gardens. Elsewhere, bespoke scent design by Kat Snowden (@cleanslateskincare), lighting design by John McKissock, and stirring multi-channel sound design from composer @nickbatterham Part exhibition, part installation, part VR @lesterfrancois and AR @phoria.io experience, Empire combines art, vision, sound, light, botanical design and scent to take audiences on a hauntingly immersive multi-sensory journey into a reimagined past of a faded icon. #empirerone TIX ON SALE TOMORROW March 6 - April 22 R-o-n-e.com

The awe-inspiring sets created by Tyrone include sculptures, cinematic lighting, murals, scent design, augmented reality and a thrilling soundtrack. Check out all the pictures below.

EMPIRE March 6 -April 22 Can't wait to show you all 😀 Book now Tickets.r-o-n-e.com #empirerone

Thank you so much for all the support. The response has been well beyond anything I hoped for. Please grab tickets ASAP. Spots are filling up. (link in bio) . #empirerone #rone #visitvictoria #australia

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Laura Barry

Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.