New South Wales
Design studio Woods Bagot has transformed InterContinental Sydney in a top-to-bottom redesign of the five-star property across guest rooms, public areas, restaurant and bar venues.
Tracey Wiles, Principal at Woods Bagot, said the $120 million project was unlike any other due to the diverse scope of works, the 171-year heritage of the property and its iconic location next to the Royal Botanic Garden overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Key was integrating and enhancing the old and new elements of the hotel, which blends the three-level Treasury Building, built in 1851, and a 32-level tower completed in 1985.
Woods Bagot took a bold approach, flooding rooms with the blues and greens of sub-tropical Sydney, while upscaling the hotel’s restaurant and bar venues to give visitors an elevated experience and attract more locals.
“The heritage architecture gave us a beautiful palette of colours, textures and classic geometries – crafted in sandstone, brickwork, timber,” says Wiles.
InterContinental Sydney’s redesign brought the hotel into a new era, providing more memorable experiences for guests and improving functionality for colleagues. Unwavering attention to detail sees each element optimise the hotel’s operation, challenging traditional experiences and introducing organic and efficient flows.
The significance of the heritage building is celebrated with historic stories imbued throughout the design, providing guests a more meaningful visit. Thoughtful touches create a unique connection to landscape and enhance the location’s character.
The introduction of three world-class outlets enhances the product offering overall and invites a wider variety of guests to discover the hotel.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
