Formerly a grimy car tyre workshop, the new Leichhardt Hotel now sits like a Frederico Fellini film set amid bustling cafes and restaurants of Norton Street.
When Publican Peter Whitfield engaged our architectural design services for the Leichhardt Hotel it wasn’t because of the ‘Medusa’ boutique hotel and his love of Carravagio’s baroque paintings. “One reason we wanted Scott Weston to design the hotel”, say Whitfield, “is that he had never done a hotel, so we knew we would be getting something fresh. The tradesman working on the job were very sceptical when they saw orange tiles and pink resin doors arriving but now they think Scott’s a genius.”
‘Every job I do is unique”, ponders Weston. “This one was like stitching a good suit for Peter. It’s all about working towards a visionand I’m fortunate that over the past five years all my clients have worked with me to achieve that”.
LEICHHARDT HOTEL
HOSPITALITY
“This is what a good hotel should be about,” says architect Scott Weston, who designed the new hotel from architecture and interiors down to the graphics and coasters.
Back in 2001 pubs were dying and there was a bland anonymity on the Sydney scene and never having done a hotel before, so we spent time going around looking at how to do things and how not to do things. Here it is an experience to walk through - it’s a showcase. The client Peter Whitfield, wanted people to see into the hotel but also look beyond the wow factor and see the little things as well. Part of Peter’s brief was that the hotel should retain most of the aspect sof a traditiional pub.
Working with our team of crafts people for one year all the interiors are customised boutique steelwork, wallpaper, upholstery, architectural lighting, anibou and grant Featherston loose furniture and only the best Axminster carpet from Brintons.
Architecture, Interiors and Graphics all by SWAD PL 2001
Construction 2001
Project Completion 2002