The Woodhead architects designed QT Sydney hotel has opened, set within two of the city’s iconic buildings - the Gowings department store and heritage-listed State Theatre.

The fusion of two iconic heritage buildings, with historically differing uses and construction, led to unique and significant challenges in terms of connectivity structurally, architecturally and in terms of the resultant interior spaces.

Project Director Juliette Churchill said Woodhead as Master Architect led the design team through a truly collaborative two year process.

“Woodheads commitment to ensuring key members of the design team carried through the entire design and construction process, has resulted in a continuous and ongoing collaboration with Jonathan Bryant from Graham Brooks and Associates, heritage consultants, and Sydney City Council’s Senior Heritage Specialist, Margaret Desgrand,” she said.

“This dedicated team has had to remain flexible providing immediate responses to the discovery of original heritage detailing, artefacts and past documents. This flexibility has leveraged the entire design team to create a richer outcome.”

“With heritage buildings, let alone two, there is always the unexpected, which can cause delight or frustrations. Earthquake proofing a steel framed, stone clad building of heritage significance had its complexities. Services retriculation and power supply was never going to be easy. Recreating façade mounted knights, gargoyle and other sculptures, not seen for over 60 years was always going to be an interesting but fun challenge. All this has been achieved while the State Theatre has remained in continuous operation."

The hotel publicity describes dramatic LED art walls are framed by restored art deco and baroque details, next to show-stopping spotlights and ornate gilt displays cases.

While the facades have been restored to their former glory, inside is also mix of original features, curated digital art installations, eclectic artifacts and quirky design pieces inspired by the retail and theatre history of the buildings.

Interior designer Shelly Indyk sought to set many quirky nuances across all 200 rooms of the hotel.

A deep palette of reds, oranges, yellows and whites is featured throughout 12 unique room styles.

Retaining the original timber floors from 1929, the rooms in the Gowings Building are bright and airy with eccentric touches and embellishments.

The adjacent State Theatre rooms include exclusively designed Rothko-inspired carpets and rugs, along with details like bowler hat lamps and light fittings.

The dark stone bathrooms are accented by oversized signature baths and large separate showers with pin spot lighting ensuring the right vibe.

The rooms and bathrooms are finished with unusual collectables and pops of color, making it an appropriate hub from which to explore the creative scene in the surrounding neighborhood.

Designer Nic Graham’s bold design of the hotel is at its pinnacle in the lobby, where historical features are set off by an imposing LED wall of digital art by Daniel Crooks.

The space serves as a lounge and a playground after dark.

In conjunction with the city’s well-known designers, architects and art connoisseurs, the public spaces bring the magic of the old and new alive. An audio-visual piece playing between levels creates a sensory adventure adjusting to the mood of the elevator and its occupants.

All the art work was selected by curator Amanda Love.

Woodhead also led the back of house interior design, together with the restoration and interpretation of the heritage lobbies and the interface areas together with coordinating the interface between all consultants and two additional interior designers, Nic Graham and Indyk for the restaurant areas and guest room interiors, for the restaurant areas and guest room interiors.

The service concept is created to be equally fresh. A first in the city, the hotel’s Concierge iPhone and iPad app helps guests create their bespoke travel experiences of Sydney.

The project is Design Hotels’ newest member in Australia.

Architecture & Design Team

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