We have recently been given the amazing opportunity to re-imagine the interior of a gorgeous historic building right in the heart of Sydney’s CBD on iconic Pitt Street.
It’s a building I have walked past many times, often on my way to the glossy Westfield Sydney. In my haste to move through the bustling crowds of shoppers I’m the first to admit that I had never once looked up to admire this old beauty!
The striking sandstone façade. Don’t forget to look up!
Banking House (the old Bank of New South Wales) is a gorgeous six-storey sandstone structure. Most of the original 1912 façade features remain untouched, including a central triumphal arch and Corinthian columns stretching over three floors.
Previously the entire ground floor was dedicated to the Bank, with the upper floors being leased to a variety of tenants including dental surgeons, corset companies, tailors, milliners and diamond merchants.
The original mosaic floor pattern can still be found in the original foyer (now home to music store Allans Billy Hyde) and has become a source of inspiration for the new colour palette.
Internally it is a designer's dream full of decadent details. The floor is covered in mosaic tiles with decorative borders and a central medallion. The ceilings are covered in pressed bronze and the walls were once clad in marble!
The intricate pressed bronze ceiling, once the main foyer, now home to Allans Billy Hyde.
Our brief is to create an inviting and welcoming space, and without giving too much away we will introduce warmth by removing the cold glass wall paneling and add timber veneer throughout, contemporary wall washer lighting, brass touches and a luxurious stone floor to give this beauty the TLC it so richly deserves.
Say goodbye to the corporate glass wall paneling . . .
. . . and hello to some inspirational warm timber veneer, rich and luxurious detailing.
Watch this space to see how this unique #pittstreet renovation unfolds!
Images 1 - 5 via ©Alexandra Kidd Design / Images 6 - 7 via Pinterest