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InterContinental Sydney Renovation | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 2022

InterContinental Sydney Renovation | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 2022

Architects: Woods Bagot
Lead Architect: Tracey Wiles
Project Leader: Tim Davies
Original Architect: Mortimer William Lewis (1851)
General Contractor: Built Holdings Pty. Ltd.
Client: Mulpha Australia Ltd.
Photographers: Trevor Mein


Situated in the heart of Sydney CBD, InterContinental Hotel Sydney is a 5-star hotel that offers its guests uninterrupted views of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Sydney Harbour. The State Heritage Listed former Treasury buildings within the hotel complex are commended for being an outstanding example of Sydney’s colonial architecture.  The ground floor planning was reimagined to enhance the guest arrival experience from both the porte cochere and the pedestrian entrance from Bridge and Phillip streets. The heart of the hotel, the Cortile, bathed in natural sunlight, is immersed in greenery, referencing both the original outdoor space and its proximity to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Here a contemporary bar is situated with furniture nestled amongst the botanics and historic arches, forming a welcome retreat for locals and international guests to enjoy. Inspired by the rich red brick, warm sandstone and black and white courtyard tiles. Reinterpreted by utilizing timber wall linings and joinery emanating residential warmth, sandstone, and black and white tiles with contemporary scale, proportion, and patternation. The overarching refurbishment consists of the ground and first floor, including porte cochere, reception, bar, dining and pantry, 509 rooms and suites, and the rooftop bar's re-invention.

The original green marble of the lift surrounds has been matched and used in several new insertions including the bar, joinery, furniture, and the feature reception wall. The wall is constructed from slices of book-matched marble and limestone and pleated to reveal its beauty on passing. This is a special moment where architecture meets design meets art, quality, and buildability, connecting spaces and materiality, old and new. Since re-opening, the occupancy rates have soared with an average of 90%. Return guest rates have elevated, and there is significantly increased usage of all the public facilities - Cortile and rooftop bars, breakfast restaurants, and private dining. Most rewarding is the uptake in dwell space throughout the building, welcoming guests to engage in the architectural beauty.


InterContinental Sydney Renovation
InterContinental Sydney Renovation
InterContinental Sydney Renovation

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