WATER WORKS

A magnificent, long-forgotten Art Deco heritage building in Sydney is remodelled into a world-class five-star hotel

Just over a year ago, the now-spectacular Primus Hotel Sydney was in less-than-spectacular condition. “We were introduced to a derelict office building, not occupied in some time,” explains Wade Little, principal at Woods Bagot architects. “The interior was a graveyard of 1980s workstations, with peach and pink finishes. Many of the original features were either covered up or gone altogether.” Following a $65 million renovation, the Pitt Street address now features a majestic hotel. Located in the former Sydney Water Board building, constructed in 1939, it’s one of the city’s most beautiful new accommodation offerings. In line with a growing international trend, the hotel serves up a long-forgotten slice of heritage, remastered and reinvigorated for everyone to enjoy. Despite the dilapidated state in which Shanghai-based Greenland International Hotels Group purchased the building, some gems were found. “Bronze window frames, travertine and green marble, and striking red columns created by Italian craftsmen were still there,” says Little. But before Woods Bagot became involved, the state heritage-listed space had to be brought back to life over a 15-month approval and restoration process by specialist heritage consultants GBA Heritage — also responsible for the restoration of the nearby Gowings building that became the colourful QT Sydney hotel. Central to the development was restoring a grand lobby — previously the Water Board Ratings Chamber, where Sydney residents lined up to pay their water bills. “The hotel lobby is one of the city’s great inter-walled spaces and has, until now, been quite hidden,” says GBA Heritage architect Jonathan Bryant. “It is a frozen moment in time from 1939 — just as classically inspired Art Deco-style architecture was about to transition into pure, restrained, post-war functionalism.” In order to reveal the lost grandeur, damage done during the pre1977 heritage law era had to be rectified. In 1969, a concrete mezzanine level had split the eight-metre scagliola columns in half, and the decorative plasterwork on the ceilings was mostly removed. The process had its challenges, such as finding contractors with the skills and knowledge to restore the forgotten features. Teams of stonemasons and bronze-makers were commissioned alongside polishers from France and marble restorers from Rome. Planning for the ground floor’s functional spaces — including The Wilmot, the hotel’s 120-seat Asian-fusion restaurant — gave consideration to the space’s original purposes. Marble, brass and timber counters dividing the dining, bar and lobby areas were placed in the locations of the former service counters in the ratings chamber. “The profile of new walls, counters and decorative elements all have some reference to the original, no matter how fine or overcalled,” says Little.

For the interiors, Woods Bagot drew inspiration from designers of the 1930s and ’40s, such as Eileen Grey and Marcel Breuer, as well as the Bauhaus movement — choosing tubular metal stools, round and oval tables, and U-shaped banquettes in leather and velvet. “The period in which the building was constructed saw an explosion of colour,” says Little. “Eye-popping pinks, blues and green are subtly calmed by deep green, pewter and black, with an accent of brass.” Upstairs, six floors house 172 guest rooms and suites circled around a central breezeway, which allows natural light into each room. The palatial Presidential and Vice-Presidential suites come with marble wall slabs, living and dining rooms and a spot for your butler. On the top floor, guests emerge onto a modern rooftop area — once used as a shooting range, during WWII, and now an oasis in the heart of the CBD complete with a lounging and dining area and a 20-metre lap pool. “It’s about comfort and relaxation,” says Little. The furniture is teak, green plants abound and contemporary textiles cover pool chairs and dining booths. “This hotel is breathtaking in its scope and scale,” says general manager Daniel Muhor. “We are very excited to share it with our guests as we know the space will transport them back in time.” Primus Hotel Sydney, 339 Pitt Street, Sydney; (02) 8027 8000; primushotelsydney.com.

The hotel serves up a long-forgotten slice of heritage, remastered and reinvigorated for everyone to enjoy

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The hotel’s rooftop features a 20-metre pool surrounded by timber decking and seating. All the exterior’s original windows were restored as part of the makeover. “It was very much a waltz between the heritage consultants and interior designers,” says Jonathan Bryant of the 15 months it took to get building approval. Summer berries with vanilla mascarpone and elderflower from The Wilmot. A Superior suite features custom carpets by Brintons. Brass signage reflects the building’s history.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Patterned navy upholstery and cushions give a fresh, modern look to the rooftop and pool surrounds. Light streams in through original brass windows. Features of the grand lobby have been restored, including the scagliola columns and travertine walls. Before its new life, the building’s only role in recent years had been as a set in a few television shows and movies — Angelina Jolie used it as one of her locations while directing the movie Unbroken in Sydney in 2013.