Two of Sydney’s iconic heritage-listed buildings — the former Clare Hotel pub and the Carlton & United Breweries Administration Building have been carefully adjoined by a glass link-way under the engineered expertise of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects.The result: a distinctive and unique design-led property constructed with obsessive attention to aesthetics and a focus on retaining as many interesting and original features as possible, which is set to be Sydney’s finest boutique design hotel — and is now officially open for business.
The Old Clare Hotel brings a unique offering to the city’s hotel market. Not only a place to stay — but for curious travellers and locals alike to entertain, enjoy and experience the cornerstone of Chippendale, the thriving, emerging city suburb.
A total of sixty two rooms and suites of seven distinctive types feature high ceilings, large original framed windows, heritage timber panelling and original exposed walls. Highlights include the heritage C.U.B. Suite — featuring spacious separate sleeping quarters, ample meeting, living and dining space with an eight-seater table and an anteroom with library. The Mary O’ Suite — named after Chippendale character, Mary O’Shea, also known as Pig Mary entails a separate entertaining and dining area for up to eight guests, a wet bar and sleeping quarters overlooking Kensington Street.
The Chippendale Lofts are both contemporary and spacious, featuring a private bedroom with open white marble bathroom and sitting area over two levels. Intricate, quirky objects and fixtures have been hand-selected to furnish each space; including .PSLAB pendant lights, vintage furniture, custom tote bags and cushions inspired by Australian fauna and flora created by Eloise Rapp.
There are sixty two custom made desk lamps fashioned from transformed vintage machinery of decades past by Paul Firbank a.k.a. The Rag and Bone Man, while New Zealand brand Triumph & Disaster challenge the senses with specialised amenity sets in each room. Throughout the hotel, Maison Balzac have created a bespoke and welcoming scent, evoking the memories of the past.
Downstairs, The Clare bar adjoins the hotel reception – embracing the ethos of its earlier incarnation as preferred watering hole for locals, indie rock lovers, bohemians, artists and intellectuals. Upstairs, an expansive Rooftop Pool and Bar with panoramic views of the surrounding district is the ultimate locale to have a sunrise yoga session or sundowner in equal measure.
Additional amenities at The Old Clare Hotel include a private gym and a heritage meeting space. A day spa will also launch in early 2016. Outside of The Old Clare Hotel; explore the Chippendale neighbourhood by custom made bicycle.
Three independent restaurants, offering different dining experiences, will also open as part of The Old Clare Hotel. Automata, Clayton Wells’ first solo restaurant, seating sixty guests and serving a constantly changing five-course menu has opened on Kensington Street. Silvereye, situated on level two of the hotel is by former Noma chef, Sam Miller, and will offer two tasting menus.
