diff --git a/resources/bundles/org.eclipse.core.resources/src/org/eclipse/core/internal/localstore/FileSystemResourceManager.java b/resources/bundles/org.eclipse.core.resources/src/org/eclipse/core/internal/localstore/FileSystemResourceManager.java
index f1b404cf443..75fe6699486 100644
--- a/resources/bundles/org.eclipse.core.resources/src/org/eclipse/core/internal/localstore/FileSystemResourceManager.java
+++ b/resources/bundles/org.eclipse.core.resources/src/org/eclipse/core/internal/localstore/FileSystemResourceManager.java
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@
 import org.eclipse.core.runtime.MultiStatus;
 import org.eclipse.core.runtime.OperationCanceledException;
 import org.eclipse.core.runtime.Platform;
+import org.eclipse.core.runtime.Status;
 import org.eclipse.core.runtime.SubMonitor;
 import org.eclipse.core.runtime.preferences.IEclipsePreferences.IPreferenceChangeListener;
 import org.eclipse.core.runtime.preferences.InstanceScope;
@@ -1007,11 +1008,27 @@ public ProjectDescription read(IProject target, boolean creation) throws CoreExc
 				return description;
 			}
 			if (!descriptionStore.fetchInfo().exists()) {
-				String msg = NLS.bind(Messages.resources_missingProjectMeta, target.getName());
-				throw new ResourceException(IResourceStatus.FAILED_READ_METADATA, target.getFullPath(), msg, null);
+				// .project file is missing, try to restore from private metadata
+				ProjectDescription restoredDescription = new ProjectDescription();
+				restoredDescription.setName(target.getName());
+				getWorkspace().getMetaArea().readPrivateDescription(target, restoredDescription);
+				
+				// Check if we have useful data to restore (natures or build spec)
+				if (restoredDescription.getNatureIds().length > 0 || restoredDescription.getBuildSpec(false).length > 0) {
+					// We can restore useful data - use this description and log a warning
+					description = restoredDescription;
+					String msg = NLS.bind(Messages.resources_missingProjectMetaRepaired, target.getName());
+					Policy.log(new Status(IStatus.WARNING, ResourcesPlugin.PI_RESOURCES, msg));
+					// The description will be returned and should be written by the caller
+				} else {
+					// No useful data to restore - throw the original error
+					String msg = NLS.bind(Messages.resources_missingProjectMeta, target.getName());
+					throw new ResourceException(IResourceStatus.FAILED_READ_METADATA, target.getFullPath(), msg, null);
+				}
+			} else {
+				String msg = NLS.bind(Messages.resources_readProjectMeta, target.getName());
+				error = new ResourceException(IResourceStatus.FAILED_READ_METADATA, target.getFullPath(), msg, e);
 			}
-			String msg = NLS.bind(Messages.resources_readProjectMeta, target.getName());
-			error = new ResourceException(IResourceStatus.FAILED_READ_METADATA, target.getFullPath(), msg, e);
 		} catch (IOException ex) {
 			Policy.log(ex);
 		}
diff --git a/resources/tests/org.eclipse.core.tests.resources/src/org/eclipse/core/tests/resources/IProjectTest.java b/resources/tests/org.eclipse.core.tests.resources/src/org/eclipse/core/tests/resources/IProjectTest.java
index d1692c05b5a..6eec3c3e010 100644
--- a/resources/tests/org.eclipse.core.tests.resources/src/org/eclipse/core/tests/resources/IProjectTest.java
+++ b/resources/tests/org.eclipse.core.tests.resources/src/org/eclipse/core/tests/resources/IProjectTest.java
@@ -2572,4 +2572,68 @@ public void testProjectDeletion_Bug347220() throws CoreException {
 		monitor.assertUsedUp();
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Tests that a project with a missing .project file can be opened
+	 * if it has natures and buildspec saved in the private metadata area.
+	 * See https://github.com/eclipse-platform/eclipse.platform/issues/2272
+	 */
+	@Test
+	public void testOpenProjectWithMissingDotProjectButPrivateMetadata() throws CoreException {
+		IProject project = getWorkspace().getRoot().getProject(createUniqueString());
+		monitor.prepare();
+		IProjectDescription description = getWorkspace().newProjectDescription(project.getName());
+		description.setNatureIds(new String[] { NATURE_SIMPLE });
+		project.create(description, monitor);
+		monitor.assertUsedUp();
+		
+		monitor.prepare();
+		project.open(monitor);
+		monitor.assertUsedUp();
+		assertTrue("1.0", project.isOpen());
+		assertTrue("1.1", project.hasNature(NATURE_SIMPLE));
+		
+		// Close the project
+		monitor.prepare();
+		project.close(monitor);
+		monitor.assertUsedUp();
+		assertFalse("2.0", project.isOpen());
+		
+		// Delete the .project file from disk
+		IFile dotProjectFile = project.getFile(IProjectDescription.DESCRIPTION_FILE_NAME);
+		java.io.File dotProjectOnDisk = dotProjectFile.getLocation().toFile();
+		assertTrue("3.0", dotProjectOnDisk.exists());
+		assertTrue("3.1", dotProjectOnDisk.delete());
+		assertFalse("3.2", dotProjectOnDisk.exists());
+		
+		// Refresh the project to detect the missing .project file
+		monitor.prepare();
+		project.refreshLocal(IResource.DEPTH_ONE, monitor);
+		monitor.assertUsedUp();
+		
+		// Now try to open the project - it should succeed because private metadata exists
+		monitor.prepare();
+		project.open(monitor);
+		monitor.assertUsedUp();
+		assertTrue("4.0", project.isOpen());
+		
+		// Verify that the nature was restored from private metadata
+		assertTrue("5.0", project.hasNature(NATURE_SIMPLE));
+		
+		// Trigger a workspace save to write the restored .project file
+		monitor.prepare();
+		getWorkspace().save(true, monitor);
+		monitor.assertUsedUp();
+		
+		// Verify that the .project file was recreated
+		monitor.prepare();
+		project.refreshLocal(IResource.DEPTH_ONE, monitor);
+		monitor.assertUsedUp();
+		assertTrue("6.0", dotProjectFile.exists());
+		
+		// Clean up
+		monitor.prepare();
+		project.delete(true, monitor);
+		monitor.assertUsedUp();
+	}
+
 }