A grand building in an iconic street, the new era for Gertrude Hotel would finally imagine the venue it deserved to be – a welcoming but sophisticated hotel fit for the street.
It had long lost its charm due to various kitsch refurbishments leaving it sticky and dark inside. The new owners wanted the venue to live up to its namesake and envisioned a new dining setting that felt warm and bright, contemporary and textural. The clients had run successful pizza restaurants around the area, but their new venture was a different scale; Gertrude Hotel would be their manifesto.
The design of The Gertrude Hotel was to be inspired by the chic ambiance, sophistication and culture of the famous street it represented taking influence from the clients’ love for modern art and aimed to create a homely yet sophisticated setting for them to showcase their eclectic collection.
Working within a modest budget, utilising the existing bones and free details of the historic pub, bringing in various textures of white to brighten up the space. This was complemented by earthy terrazzo flooring and timber joinery, along with feature colours of tan and navy that resonated with the clients’ artwork.
The Ground level of the venue was recut into two zones to emphasize its offering. The new Dining Room took most of the footprint while the public bar faced Gertrude Street as it had historically. A private dining room is separated from the main Dining Room with navy curtains.
Being actively involved on site, it meant we could be strategic with the renovation to work with budgetary constraints. Collaborating closely with the cabinet maker, we incorporated cost-effective measures that worked with the existing joinery. Late-night sessions on site with the lighting contractor, were crucial for designing the lighting, ensuring the best location and temperature, recognising its significance in the space.
Textured paint and patterned tiles crafted a semblance to a 600 year old dwelling in France where the clients’ stayed when travelling early in the design process.