The landmark Kings Cross Hotel in Sydney, the gateway to Kings Cross, is now open and trading

after six years of refurbishment and development. For the first time in 96 years, the Kings Cross Hotel will be allowed to simultaneously operate all five floors — legally, at least. For Brian Perry — owner and head visionary — the hotel refurb was a six-year labour of love. The building was completely gutted retaining the building’s heritage while introducing modern comforts. Built in 1913, the Kings Cross Hotel has enjoyed a colourful history, including a multitude of owners and closure on numerous occasions. The most recent drama was in 2002 when, not for the first time, the hotel failed to meet safety conditions, and it was put up for sale. Brian Perry, a lover of Sydney’s heritage buildings, stepped in and purchased the hotel.The exterior of the building has been meticulously restored using cutting-edge, environmentally-friendly technology. The dark green paint was painstakingly removed with a soya bean paste (yes, a vegetarian paint stripper) revealing the original red brick facade. The latest insulation has been used in the construction of the building, ensuring the Kings Cross Hotel is one of Australia’s most soundproofed establishments, a comfort to the residents sharing an adjoining wall and other businesses in the area.

Multi-Usage

Sydney design firm Innersphere was selected to create the concept design for the interior fitout. The designer selection was made on the basis the hotel should provide a rich variety of flexible multi-purpose spaces. The Innersphere team was headed up by Michael Sadubin assisted by Kylie Sinclair; the architect was Nicholas Back Architects.The extensive brief provided by Brian Perry called for all areas to appeal to as many different people at different times as possible, thus providing multiple entertaining spaces. Brian also had well-formulated ideas about focal points for each level.So with five floors or real estate to play with, why the focus on multi-usage spaces? It’s a design that offers patrons options. King Cross is such a diverse precinct with such a varied demographic of locals, business people, party-goers… and the design that allows different groups to enjoy the same spaces in different ways for different purposes any time, day or night. Take for example, the main bars on the ground floor and fifth level. They were designed for use in a more casual way during the day, and be just as easy to access and staff when in full swing on a Friday night.The selection of materials such as terrazzo on the floors and engineered stone on the bar tops were purposely selected to ensure durability — for such a high-traffic venue, Brian was determined to have a fitout that looked great for years to come.

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Lighting Sphere

Innersphere also provided the overall lighting concept which, as with all of

its projects, is aimed to attract patrons and lift spirits. This was achieved by

providing as much indirect lighting as possible. Lighting glare was eliminated

through the use of deeply recessed downlights and wall washing fittings.

Innersphere created the Art Deco custom feature over the main bar to

act as a focal point. The use of the red 3form as a backlit feature on the Level

5 cocktail bar front was also devised to create a focal point for the bar.

The ground floor main bar is presented in a palette of soothing creams and

whites, polished terrazzo flooring and custom-made Art Deco light fittings

that softly illuminate the main bar. It’s a tasteful venue that contrasts

sharply with the colourful Kings Cross melodrama played out daily along

the strip. A gently swirling ceiling, architectural columns and a square

sofa (called the ‘meeting place’) punctuate the space, while a large

corner stage boasts enough room and lighting to host individual performances

or small theatre productions.

Dining

The first-floor restaurant — open seven days for breakfast through dinner and

late-night supper — offers alfresco dining under a theatre-like glass shell

structure jutting out into the electric energy of Kings Cross, with the iconic

Coca Cola sign as the main view. The relaxed 90-seat bistro is also decorated

in classy neutral shades with scene-stealing chandeliers.

Throughout the hotel, items of historical significance have been restored

to their former glory, including the original stained glass windows and

doors in the second-floor function space, accommodating parties of 20

to 125 guests. Juliet balconies have been lovingly repaired and faithfully

replaced while the floor uses recycled wood collected from the original

building.

Innersphere created the Art Deco custom feature over the main bar to

act as a focal point. The use of the red 3form as a backlit feature on the Level

5 cocktail bar front was also devised to create a focal point for the bar.

The ground floor main bar is presented in a palette of soothing creams and

whites, polished terrazzo flooring and custom-made Art Deco light fittings

that softly illuminate the main bar. It’s a tasteful venue that contrasts

sharply with the colourful Kings Cross melodrama played out daily along

the strip. A gently swirling ceiling, architectural columns and a square

sofa (called the ‘meeting place’) punctuate the space, while a large

corner stage boasts enough room and lighting to host individual performances

or small theatre productions.

Dining

The first-floor restaurant — open seven days for breakfast through dinner and

late-night supper — offers alfresco dining under a theatre-like glass shell

structure jutting out into the electric energy of Kings Cross, with the iconic

Coca Cola sign as the main view. The relaxed 90-seat bistro is also decorated

in classy neutral shades with scene-stealing chandeliers.

Throughout the hotel, items of historical significance have been restored

to their former glory, including the original stained glass windows and

doors in the second-floor function space, accommodating parties of 20

to 125 guests. Juliet balconies have been lovingly repaired and faithfully

replaced while the floor uses recycled wood collected from the original

building.

Innersphere also provided the overall lighting concept which, as with all of

Lighting Sphere

Innersphere also provided the overall lighting concept which, as with all of

its projects, is aimed to attract patrons and lift spirits. This was achieved by

providing as much indirect lighting as possible. Lighting glare was eliminated

through the use of deeply recessed downlights and wall washing fittings.

Innersphere created the Art Deco custom feature over the main bar to

act as a focal point. The use of the red 3form as a backlit feature on the Level

5 cocktail bar front was also devised to create a focal point for the bar.

The ground floor main bar is presented in a palette of soothing creams and

whites, polished terrazzo flooring and custom-made Art Deco light fittings

that softly illuminate the main bar. It’s a tasteful venue that contrasts

sharply with the colourful Kings Cross melodrama played out daily along

the strip. A gently swirling ceiling, architectural columns and a square

sofa (called the ‘meeting place’) punctuate the space, while a large

corner stage boasts enough room and lighting to host individual performances

The first-floor restaurant — open seven days for breakfast through dinner and

late-night supper — offers alfresco dining under a theatre-like glass shell

structure jutting out into the electric energy of Kings Cross, with the iconic

Coca Cola sign as the main view. The relaxed 90-seat bistro is also decorated

in classy neutral shades with scene-stealing chandeliers.

Throughout the hotel, items of historical significance have been restored

to their former glory, including the original stained glass windows and

doors in the second-floor function space, accommodating parties of 20

to 125 guests. Juliet balconies have been lovingly repaired and faithfully

replaced while the floor uses recycled wood collected from the original

building.

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Glass Action: (right) The Copperlilly Nightclub’s big setpiece is the glass

dancefloor. The lighting effects do some wonderful things through the glass. (left)

Gotta love the parquetry floor of the cocktail lounge.

Gilding the Copperlilly

Floors 3 and 4 — the nostalgic home of Oz Rock made famous in the 90s — house Copperlilly Nightclub. Upon entering the nightclub lounge, guests are greeted by a maze of ornate timber screens that create intimate nooks; large ottomans are covered in traditional deco fabric, and the original 1913 lift car has been transformed into a private booth. The glass dancefloor literally hangs above the guests, making them unwitting voyeurs to the activity above them and tempting them to venture upstairs to dance the night away to classic disco tunes. Note to potential visitors: choose your underwear carefully if dressed in a frock. The nightclub effects lighting create a stunning play of light on the glass dancefloor for those in the lounge. Fancy wallpaper lit by LED strips also create visual interest, while the heritage windows have been effectively dimmed by dark screening.

Cocktails

Spectacular views await guests from the fifth-floor cocktail oasis, a comfortable indoor and outdoor lounge seating. The original gothic columns remain restored with faux gold leaf and the two-toned parquetry floor undulates and takes on a life of its own after a couple of concoctions, while the bar shimmers and changes hue in the light thanks to opalescent tiling.Crowning the building is the original lift motor room, now transformed into a small and novel entertaining space for up to 20 guests. The Crown, restored to its original design complete with wind vane, completes the stunning restoration process.Innersphere has created a landmark hotel at King Cross with a timeless interior environment that respects the building’s heritage. This has been achieved by applying basic human psychology — creating the right environment to make customers feel good in warm, private, comfortable and intimate spaces — and by using the right floor plan, lighting and finishes.

Kings Cross Hotel: 248 William Street, Kings Cross

(02) 9331 9900 or www.kingscrosshotel.com.au

Innersphere: (02) 9959 5656 or

www.innersphere.com.au

Nicholas Back Architects:

(02) 9712 7622

columns remain restored with faux gold leaf and the two-toned parquetry floor undulates and takes on a life of its own after a couple of concoctions, while the bar shimmers and changes hue in the light thanks to opalescent tiling.Crowning the building is the original lift motor room, now transformed into a small and novel entertaining space for up to 20 guests. The Crown, restored to its original design complete with wind vane, completes the stunning restoration process.Innersphere has created a landmark hotel at King Cross with a timeless interior environment that respects the building’s heritage. This has been achieved by applying basic human psychology — creating the right environment to make customers feel good in warm, private, comfortable and intimate spaces — and by using the right floor plan, lighting and finishes.

Kings Cross Hotel: 248 William Street, Kings Cross

(02) 9331 9900 or www.kingscrosshotel.com.au

Innersphere: (02) 9959 5656 or

www.innersphere.com.au

Nicholas Back Architects:

(02) 9712 7622

“No one has to be too concerned about making a huge mistake or getting in too deep — the system won’t allow it. It is an absolutely amazing system to navigate!”

— Brian Perry, owner.

Kings Cross Sound

The King Cross audio and visual concept is a fully-integrated, state-of-the-art, specialist system, designed, installed and engineered by dynamic duo, Mile Zivkovic and Mark Rajic from Dream Theatre Audio Visual. “We were personally involved in every aspect; from the design plan, the supply, and installation through to the quality control testing and programming,” says Mile. “We worked in close consultation with owner Brian Perry and builder John Mothersole to design the audiovisual plan and the end result is nothing short of spectacular, if I do say so myself!”From the Crestron control system (which integrates the entire system over the five floors with the push of a button), to the formidable RCF PA system (sourced from Group Technologies) and the Bosch background music system (supplied by National Audio Systems), the result was to have a grand-scale high-end commercial system with a domestic user-friendly style front end (the Crestron programmer was Paul D’Adam). Central to the system is the main Kramer Sierra video and audio matrix switcher. This switcher (via the Crestron processor) means that everything from the speakers, the 42-inch Panasonic plasma screens, the C-bus lighting system, the air-conditioning and outdoor heating as well as

the security cameras can be monitored and controlled from Crestron touch panels

throughout the building. Nobody is more impressed

with the ease of operation

than Brian. “My staff only required a simple introduction to the system,” says Brian. “The system is so intelligent, it even allows for different levels of security control from the same touchpad. No one has to be too concerned about making a huge mistake or getting in too deep — the system won’t allow it. It is an absolutely amazing system to navigate!” The main ground floor area consists of RCF’s concert touring TT Series for the live performance stage as well as an Allen & Heath mixer. This means that it is completely wired for performers to come into the building and simply connect to the in-house system, complete with Sennheiser microphones.The two nightclub areas are fitted out with Technics turntables, Pioneer CDJ1000 CD players, Pioneer DJM8000 mixers and numerous 58-inch and 42-inch plasmas as well as RCF Art Series and TT Series speakers, all supplied by Robert Runko from Showtime Productions in Sydney. Subwoofers are even housed within cavities which double as a secure cloak area for the use of patrons.No detail has been overlooked; even the outside balconies have been taken into consideration and have been out fitted with audiophile aluminium Richter speakers so as to match the building’s exterior façade.The greatest challenge of the entire project has been to keep within the local sound restrictions. To overcome this issue, all screens and speakers were mounted on suspension mounts for reduced vibration to adjacent properties and speakers are distributed to ensure an even spread of sound without building up too much volume.

Dream Theatre: 0412 060 791

{71}{70}

Matilda dining chair, made of chrome steel and reconstituted leather, from Atama Furniture.

Zen 150W profile moving head from DMC Lighting & Sound. [dmcdj.com]

LED 4-wire RGB colour changing rope. DMC Lighting & Sound.[dmcdj.com]

Bar cladding from WK Marble & Granite.[wk.com.au]

Matilda bar stool (chrome steel and reconstituted leather) from Atama Furniture.[atama.com.au]

Flooring from WK Marble & Granite.[wk.com.au]

RCF touring TT series speaker from Group Technologies.[gtaust.com]

Deco light custom designed by Innersphere

Panasonic plasma displays.[panasonic.com.au]

Ying-Wei LED PAR 54 x 3W fixtures from DMC Lighting & Sound. [dmcdj.com]

Solid timber tables with chrome caste iron bases from Atama Furniture.[atama.com.au]

Custom built polyurethane banquette, inspired by railway station styles, from Atama Furniture.[atama.com.au]

{73}{72}

venue big spread