The new $128 million Club Stand at the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) in Flemington Racecourse is in a league of its own within Australia’s southern hemisphere.

A much-awaited world-class venue, it’s home to several major racing carnivals, which include ‘the race that stops a nation’, the Melbourne Cup. Featuring a host of high-end offerings and clear visibility of the Racetrack, Members Lawn, and Winning Post among others, the building’s sophisticated curvilinear design delivers a unique and immersive experience for members and patrons.

Leading architects Bates Smart constructed The Club Stand solely to capture the sophistication, legacy and spirit of the race course. Pursuing a practical and refined treatment, Bates Smart collaborated with AAF to fit its interior venues using the Evershield® anodising finishes.

A superior finishing for an architectural accomplishment

After running through the options with AAF, Bates Smart decided on the Evershield® Anodising finishes. Chosen specifically for their high-grade quality and performance consistency, the selected finishes are:

Monaco Stone (Illustro)
Smokey Quartz
Summer Maize
Jamaican Chocolate

The Evershield® Anodising finish undergoes a controlled treatment, which gives it its vibrant colour finish and exceptional hardness. This next-level durability is achieved through very specific process parameters, an engineering feat that’s unique to AAF. The finishing also grants ‘True Metal’ colouring, which delivers extreme UV resistance. Cutting-edge technology involved in creating this finish allows AAF to provide a 30-year warranty, exceeding the AAMA 611 and AS1231 performance standards.

This has made it a particular favourite of some of Australia’s more iconic buildings such as the Sydney Cricket Ground in New South Wales, and the Federation Square in Victoria.

The Club Stand is a state-of-the-art complex across 18,000sqm, inspired by VRC’s legacy rose gardens. Although its entire motif and design carry through, each of the 13 different key spaces are themed with their own signature style. The AAF Evershield® Anodising finish is featured throughout the Club Stand across eight of those different key spaces.

The Dining Room

AAF_Victoria_Racing_Club_Bates_Smart_Anodising_Finishes_dining_room.png

A classic elegance that’s rich in racing tradition, the Dining Room features equine artwork and contemporary finishes. The AAF colour collections were seamlessly adapted to its styling and ornament works.

Straight Six

AAF_Victoria_Racing_Club_Bates_Smart_Anodising_Finishes_straight_six.jpg

Designed to allow members to unwind, its contemporary motif is calming and easy on the eyes, enveloping the entire space. The anodising finish is featured across the space, making itself an integral part of the setting.

Paddock Bar

AAF_Victoria_Racing_Club_Bates_Smart_Anodising_Finishes_paddock_bar.jpg

Located near the mounting area, the Paddock Bar is a stunning craft of mixing wood and metal work together. The Evershield® finish retains the metallic quality by protecting it from diminishing UV rays.

The Arbour

AAF_Victoria_Racing_Club_Bates_Smart_Anodising_Finishes_the_arbour.jpg

Boasting an amazing view, the Arbour receives fluctuating sunlight. To work with this, AAF used the Illustro collection to subtly counter the changing light conditions. This gives the space a continuous and evolving charm as the day goes through.

The Members Bar

AAF_Victoria_Racing_Club_Bates_Smart_Anodising_Finishes_members_bar.jpg

Another area where members can catch all the action, the Evershield® anodising finish was cleverly laid into the space to bring out a feel of opulence.

Mumm Champagne Bar

AAF_Victoria_Racing_Club_Bates_Smart_Anodising_Finishes_Mumm_Champagne_Bar.jpg

A different touch of class as an icon brand meets iconic socialites. A matt lustre finish helps the Mumm Champagne Bar complete the atmosphere.

Furlong Bar

AAF_Victoria_Racing_Club_Bates_Smart_Anodising_Finishes_furlong_bar.jpg

With an outstanding view over the mounting yard and track, the Furlong Bar gets matched with a Smokey Quartz finish from the Bright collection. Its deep, brilliant colours give this eclectic space a unique thriving spirit.

Bluegrass Bar

AAF_Victoria_Racing_Club_Bates_Smart_Anodising_Finishes_bluegrass_bar.jpg

Another Evershield® anodising finish from the Bright collection to complement new, stylish venues like the Bluegrass Bar.

Club Stand: A challenging finish

Application on the Club Stand’s infrastructure and décor was a monumental task – not just for the quantity, but also the work involved in clamping and anodising certain surfaces and locations.

AAF applied the right type, colour and quality of finish on the many individual items and details with Jacaranda Industries, whom had supplied and installed the joinery and panelling to almost every space in the venue.

Project details

Project: The Club Stand, Victoria Racing Club

Location: Melbourne, Victoria

Client: Victoria Racing Club

Architect: Bates Smart

Finisher: AAF

Finish: Anodised

Colour: Monaco Stone (Illustro), Summer Maize, Smokey Quartz, Jamaican Chocolate

Date Completed: 2018

Photography: Peter Clarke

Architecture & Design Team

Australian Aluminium Finishing (AAF)

Let’s connect!