PRIMUS HOTEL

In December 2015, one of Sydney’s finest examples of art deco glamour opened its doors as Primus Hotel Sydney. Perfectly positioned in the heart of the city, this heritage sensitive refit of the former Sydney Water Board headquarters has breathed new life into an iconic 1930’s building. Once empty offices have now been reinvigorated with charm and grandeur which pays homage to the original art deco design. Corlette worked closely with interior design firm Woods Bagot, along with GBA Heritage, to craft a bespoke, integrated and seamless signage design program as an ode to a time of design decadence that remains heritage-listed today.

Our design concept, ‘Typography with Manners’ was inspired by fascinating historical photographs of the building during its previous life as a public office. Heritage features of the site, such as original Italian marble columns, were celebrated with complementary finishes and materials to create an elegant, modern feel. Featuring polite language of the times, all messages follow this original tone of voice, elevating the communications and wayfinding and expressing a warmth and hospitality associated with grand hotels of the past.

Carrying our ‘Manners’ concept in to F&B, Corlette crafted the naming, identity, and branding for The Wilmot fine dining bar and restaurant.