The Exchange Hotel, Balmain

The historic Exchange Hotel in Balmain is on a key corner site but has for years been in need of refurbishment. In conjunction with lead architects, we had the opportunity to take the development approval and complete detailed documentation for a totally new internal layout of hotel rooms across 3 storeys, reinstatement of the historic wrap-around balcony, and a second-storey addition forming 3 new rooms using masonry and glass with integrated lighting. The numerous complexities of the existing heritage significant building required a considered response from the whole team - fire engineering details to protect the heritage significant timber floors, careful setout of walls to ensure clear circulation, precise design and detailing of new bathrooms and services for a seamless transition between old and new fabric, and bespoke approaches to existing elements to ensure the existing structure and detailing is protected and enriched by the new works and interior fit out.

We look forward to seeing the project take shape over the coming months.

Client: Public
Type: Alterations and Additions
Scale: 4000m2
Year: 2022-2023
Builder: Public
Project Team: Public Design Group, lead architects, SJB Interiors, Rickard Engineering, Minerva, Heritage21, Pixel 3d Visualisation
Location: Balmain, NSW
Status: Under Construction