The ‘Grand Old Lady’ of Abbortsford is back - The Terminus Hotel re-opens.

A Melbourne institution has awoken from its slumber. The ‘grand old lady’ of Abbotsford, The Terminus Hotel, is back thanks to an inspiring collaboration between Sand Hill Road and Techné Architecture + Interior Design.  The quintessentially Melbourne watering hole has returned from its long enforced hiatus to once again grace Abbotsford’s Victoria Street with its lovingly restored façade and promise of good times and frivolity within its green walls. 

Following a number of successful creative collaborations including the recently renovated Prahran Hotel, Sand Hill Road once again turned to renowned hospitality design team Techné Architecture + Interior Design to help them resurrect and reinvigorate the Terminus Hotel. Sand Hill Road provided Techné director, Justin Northrop, with two criteria; the first, to deliver a unique design that caters for today’s patrons while also acknowledging the venue’s illustrious past and the second, to create a lush garden space offering local residents respite from the surrounding concrete jungle and a meeting place for their family and friends. 

“The venue has been almost completely dwarfed by apartment developments in recent years and it seemed entirely appropriate to provide a lush oasis for patrons surrounded by the ever increasing urban sprawl. The challenge was creating a space that provides an increasing level of amenity while also retaining the much-loved character of the pub. “The original heritage protected façade, built in 1923, has been restored, but the famous green paint-job will remain. The interiors are a modern interpretation of the original pub, with the focal point being the art deco-inspired front bar. In contrast, the spectacularly kitsch upstairs ‘Paris Tropical’ bar space is a nod to the Terminus’ flamboyant history. The circulation between the internal spaces and the sprawling urban jungle beer garden is designed to be continuous and allows patrons to explore the pub and check out what else is going on throughout the venue,” says Northrop. 

The new island public bar draws inspiration from the art deco era with antique gloss tiles and is connected overhead with striking copper tanks which will pump fresh, unpasteurised Carlton Draught directly to the glasses of thirsty locals - the next best thing to tasting it straight from the brewery, located only 2 minutes away. The centerpiece of the breathtaking top to bottom redesign is undoubtedly its lush 150 square metre beer garden with nine metre high glass ceiling and 2 outdoor bars. Designed to emulate a forest canopy, the two level ‘urban jungle’ comes complete with full sized Waterhousea Floribunda trees and huge steel columns set at random angles that will become a living, breathing oasis offering patrons plenty of opportunity to chill out, relax and soak up the unique surroundings. 

The various bar areas in the pub offer very differing experiences but are all inextricably linked together to provide patrons with an interactive and connected pub experience few venues can match. With a 516 patron capacity, the pub is served by five bars and will have 72 seats available for reservation, as well as function spaces for up to 80 people on the outdoor terrace and 150 people in the upstairs lounge. 

The Terminus Hotel is located at 605 Victoria Street, Abbotsford and is open from midday until late on weekdays and until 3am Friday and Saturday evenings. For further information or bookings for dining or private functions, contact 03 9427 0615 or visit www.theterminushotel.com.au. 

For more info on Techné Architecture + Interior Design, visit http://www.techne.com.au

Melbourne designer Megan Park has just opened the doors to her second stand alone boutique on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy.

The suburb holds a close affinity to the designers heart, as she not only resides there with her family but her studio and team are based there also.

Park is a collaborator and long time supporter of fellow artists and creatives whose work can be seen in the store.

- Point of sale paper piece and rear wall light box by Melbourne artist Geoffrey Nees

- Furniture, glass pendant and wall lights by Melbourne designer Suzie Stanford

- Design, project realisation and architect - Park’s husband and business partner Anthony Cox

To view the new store and artist work visit 164 Gertrude Street Fitzroy

Local Melbourne architects Techne pays homage to the 1970s Milk Bar or Mixed Business, with a design that were often synonymous with Greek immigrants.

George Sykiotis and George Calombaris of Made Establishment are serving up another round of souvlaki at the new location for infamous souvlaki bar Jimmy Grants.  A new milk bar styled Jimmy Grants will open in the iconic Emporium Building in Melbourne. 

“When I moved from Cyprus to Melbourne in 1949, I got a job at the Docks. Everyone who came by boat was looking for work like me, but no true blue Aussie could pronounce my name.  To them I was just another immigrant.  Whether from Greece, Italy or China we were all just called ‘Jimmy Grant,” says George Sykiotis, Director at Made Establishment.

The Hellenic homeland for Athenian-style souvlaki will be located in the old Myer Building in Lonsdale Street that has been spectacularly transformed in the Emporium Building.  The design avoids all traditional Greek tavern style restaurants and instead centres on the reproduction turn of the century timber framed milk bar shop front with a playful and sentimental feel.

“The scheme pays a playful and nostalgic homage to Melbourne’s suburban milk bars of past decades.  This is clearly demonstrated through it’s timber ‘shop front’ style façade which contains signage and ornate details that are reminiscent of their time.  In contrast the servery area represents a later era and it is formed out of brickwork to help it purposely read as an extension, as if it was added to the shop at a later date,” says Dale McDougall from Techne.

Techne’s choice of materials that are used throughout the space are evocative of the Milk Bar theme.  A mosaic feature wall with custom Jimmy Grants logo will be a main focal point at the front of the shop, and will be replicated on the servery wall and back of house wall.   

“The careful choice of materials play a big part in the success of the scheme.  The use of various mosaic tiles, a Terrazzo floor and an awning formed from a striped canvas help bring a level of authenticity to the scheme by creating various historic layers,” adds McDougall. 

Black and white graphic images of ‘jimmy grants’ or immigrants as they are also known, create a feature wall behind the point of sale counter.  End to End Creative Graphics produced the eye catching images which are typical to the Milk bar typology.

Jimmy Grants will once again be a destination for more than just a satisfying souvlaki, with the playful new Milk Bar creating the perfect atmosphere for casual conversation and good food, you may even bump into a cousin or two. 

Stunning architectural and interior design for the Infinity Centre, a new senior school for the Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School in Keilor East.

Designed by McBride Charles Ryan, the Infinity Centre is a fluid form with a sense of grander and sophisticated style. The use of materials, colour and spatial configurations create unique spaces for learning and social gatherings. Its not hard to see why the building is the recipient of the Architecture Award for Public Architecture, Victoria Architecture Awards 2013 and received a high commendation in the Australian Interior Design Awards 2013.

For further information visit mcbridecharlesryan.com.au

Posted by Brent Nolan Blunt Agency

A beautiful fit-out for this Fitzroy apartment by Melbourne architect and designer Clare Cousins. Spread over three mezzanine levels the space oozes character with smart spatial configurations and custom designed features.

Shortlisted as part of the 2013 Australian Interior Design Awards for residential design. For further information visit clarecousins.com.au

Posted by Brent Nolan Blunt Agency

Stunning interior design by design practice Elenberg Fraser for Slattery Australia. The blonde timber floors flow up onto the walls creating a dynamic sense of movement around this minimalistic interior. We love the small detail that has gone into this design, including the New york loft style black steel frames, lighting strips in the floor, linea textured walls and beautiful latex reception desk.

Winner of the 2013 Workplace Design Award for the Australian Interior Design Awards.

Posted by Brent Nolan Blunt Agency

This Fjords ‘Lobster’ Chair is available from Destination 3000, in the heart of Melbourne CBD. The chair is a great piece in itself, in office, lounge, anywhere!

Melbourne Location: (View)

These beautiful works of living art known as terrariums come from the Brunswick studio of Clea Cregan. Her business Miniscapes produces these artworks that remind me of the likes of bonsai’s. You can look through the glass and image yourself getting lost in your thoughts sitting under the tree! Miniscapes has been engaged to display in the Australian Open VIP lounge on numerous occasions and can be seen in various locations around the city.