# Power Station Restaurants Melbourne's Higher Ground Cafe and Eatery is a Former Industrial Site By Joey Haar | Published 2016-10-05 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/higher-ground-cafe References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2016/10/02/design-office-higher-ground-power-station-conversion-cafe-restaurant-melbourne/) & [designoffice.au](http://designoffice.com.au/) The Higher Ground cafe and restaurant in Melbourne gets patrons charged up with a coffee and a good meal, which is fitting considering the eatery's locale. Built inside a [decommissioned power station](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onyx-aether), the Higher Ground cafe and restaurant makes use of the brick walls and high ceilings that were a necessity for the former industrial site. Designed by [Design Office](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/design-next-agency), an architecture firm based out of Collingwood, Australia, the only significant spatial addition to the building is a new level to separate cafe-goers from diners. Otherwise, the structure of the building is essentially unchanged from when it was a power station. To offset the toughness of the exposed bricks, Design Office included ample planters throughout the interior. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 95% | Activity: 86% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Sites:** Restaurants and cafes are repurposing former industrial sites to create unique and inspiring dining experiences. - **Industrial Aesthetic in Interior Design:** Businesses are embracing the raw and textural elements of former industrial spaces to create visually interesting interiors. - **Blending Dining Experiences:** Designers are creating multi-level spaces for cafes, bars, and restaurants in order to offer a diverse range of experiences within one venue. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Food and Beverage:** Restaurants and cafes are at the forefront of the trend to repurpose former industrial sites. - **Hospitality:** The hospitality industry is finding new opportunities to create unique and memorable experiences by embracing the aesthetics of former industrial spaces. - **Architecture and Design:** Design firms are working on projects to transform former industrial sites into exciting new venues. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Modern Tennis-Inspired Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/common-grounds-coffee-roaster.md) - [Experimental Sporty Coffee shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/common-grounds-terra-cafe.md) - [Reanimated Power Plant Parks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manresa-island.md) - [Modern Museum Versatile Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/corner-cafe.md) - [Brutalist-Inspired Apartment Redesigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studio-est.md) - [Compacted Earth Restaurant Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quisimangia.md) - [Nostalgic Charging Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tesla-diner.md) - [Industrial Landmark Stadiums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/powerhouse.md) - [Retro 70s-Style Cafe Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superfreak-cafe.md)