Bates Smart Architects have unveiled their designs for the new InterContinental Sydney at Double Bay, NSW, and they’re calling it a reinstatement of the building’s former glory.

Glory or not, the former Ritz Carlton building will stand out. Parisian-style balconies in rare white marble, exclusive courtyards and an open rooftop retreat are just a few of the marketed facilities announced by the InterContinental group.

The rooftop pool and lounge with a panoramic vista of Double Bay is a major draw card for the hotel. Inlaid artefacts and curios, striped day beds and Turkish pots are some of the accessories that sit aside an oversized affinity pool and lounge area.

Across the building’s three floors are the retreat’s 140 guest rooms which includes 14 Royal Suites. The original floor-to-ceiling arched windows within the rooms have been restored, as have the polished marble lining and fittings in the bathrooms.

Bates Smart studio director Brenton Smith described his design intention:

“The interior and exterior fabric of this iconic building provided an ideal canvas to overlay a design which engages with the European characteristics of the architecture, while the unique location enabled us to take references from the stunning and iconic bay,” he said.

The combination of robust limestone pavers and marble staircases with parquetry flooring and brass fixtures throughout has created what the InterContinental calls a “Mediterranean air to the space”.

A cobbled driveway, hand-laid mosaic-tiles and a grand staircase also contribute to the architect’s re-gentrification of the old Ritz Carlton hotel.

Peter Wilding, managing director of Royal Hotels Australia is notably impressed with the design:

“In redeveloping the original building, it was vital to reinstate and celebrate its legacy, while heralding in a new era for the contemporary and stylish sanctuary. The hotel will be a hub for authentic local experiences and intimate gatherings, with the look and feel creating an elegant yet relaxed setting for guests to retreat to.”

Nathan Johnson

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