Atterbury’s exciting Work | Shop | New | Town development is getting even more exciting in February, when the Edwardian-era Gentlemen’s Washrooms makes a flamboyant re-entry onto the scene as The Gentlemen’s Arthouse cocktail bar. The CEO of the Life Group of Companies, Maira Koutsoudakis, shares some of the challenges of this unique restoration project
Has there been particular challenges involved in restoring such an historic building?
The challenge with heritage buildings is often that redevelopments uncover hidden structural problems, only once budgeting has been done and construction has commenced… which can have unforeseen budget implications and require larger contingencies. Other challenges are sourcing materials to match out of production heritage materials or fabrication techniques, but as we work with many master craftsmen and artisanal producers, this is easily overcome.
In what state was the space when you first walked in?
Wow! It was a real mess! The structure thankfully was intact with only minor damage caused by fire, but the original green tiles, timber roof trusses and the bank of urinals which are being converted into luxury seating, were all there.
Why a cocktail bar – how did that decision come about? And tell us how the name Gentleman’s Arthouse was arrived at?
“Arthouse” is a double entendre on the word “outhouse” which is effectively what this space functioned as originally. It is a celebration of gentlemen – all gentlemen – of the time and the concept of civility, but with a twist. The Gentlemen’s Arthouse – due to its nature as an insular, small foot-print, big-concept space is designed as a molecular mixology bar with a high-end tasting-menu food concept.
How long have you been busy with the refurbishment?
The Gentlemen’s Arthouse is two years in the making already and will open in February 2016. It has undergone painstaking research and PHRA-G Heritage Council submissions as well as long design and careful on-site restoration to arrive at this stage. Our sister company in the Life Group of Companies – Life Interiors Architecture & Strategic Design – is responsible for taking it from an outhouse to an Arthouse – replete with original artwork by famed local artists including William Kentridge, Kendal Geers, and Norman Catherine.
Did you have to sacrifice anything for practical reasons?
We created an offsite chef’s kitchen and the new washrooms in a refurbished container outside of the 78 square meter structure, both to maximise the space but also to limit the new technological intervention of services such as heating, cooling, ventilation and ablution facilities which would have had fairly invasive interface with the heritage structure.
What was the most difficult decision to take during the renovation process?
To delay the opening due to the sensitive restoration process! But the exciting thing is that the Gentlemen’s Arthouse will open at the same time as the new City Lodge Hotel with its pool overlooking the Arthouse in late February, early March 2016.
Did you have to integrate the historical buildings with the new mall alongside? How did you achieve that?
Our thinking here was not to integrate, but rather to create a complete contrast – where old meets new, heritage meets contemporary in a synchronous manner of convenience and eccentricity.
Do you have any special plans for the opening?
Yes! But not to be shared at this stage as we have not finalised it but it will definitely be a celebration of the theatrical, musical and cultural DNA of this incredible space and neighbourhood.
