3 minute read
The Maylands Hotel
by Boylen
STRIKING THE PERFECT BALANCE
WORDS: LUCY BREWER
When you think of the Maylands Hotel, leafy suburbia springs comes to mind.
Established in 1883 and currently owned by Matthews Hospitality Group, the hotel sits just five minutes from the Adelaide CBD in the backstreets of Maylands, and is known for its historical charm. Preserving this rich history was front of mind during the hotel’s refurbishment.
“The objective of the refurbishment of the Maylands Hotel was to consolidate the different design concepts of the past, and create a cohesive vibe that is a destination for new clientele and felt like home for the locals to enjoy with family and friends,” said Group CEO, Andrew Kemp.
He said the refurbishment needed to be “interesting, functional and comfortable” to complement the existing design elements.
“So often pubs renovate and become too ‘trendy’ for the regulars that had their favourite table by the window, or stool at the bar where they have a quiet knock off,” said Andrew.
“Management entrusted a non-traditional, boutique residential stylist to break away from your typical major pub renovation In doing so, the Maylands has become a modernised heritage building filled with warm and inviting spaces.”
The lead designer, Deb Barnes of Deb Barnes Design, worked closely with the Maylands Hotel team to balance tradition and modernity.
The aim of the refurbishment was for the hotel to grow its traditional clients while attracting new patrons, with a particular focus on younger clientele.
Barnes incorporated outdoor bench seating, high bar tables and extra seating at the main bar, aiming for more of a “relaxed vibe.”
“The goal was to balance the spaces and update areas so that they had their own quirks but didn’t dominate,” said Andrew.
“Deb concentrated on simplifying the spaces by starting with a base of classic black and white, then adding layers of warm textures and finishes and finishing with some bold patterns and colours that all add interest and personality to each space.”
Project Meraki installed bench seating to the front of the building, which Barnes noted as a “huge success.”
“It’s a gorgeous spot to sit in the sun, have a drink and a meal whilst gazing across to the park,” she said.
“We installed fairy lights and have planted grape vines which in time will trail across the verandah posts, providing a beautiful green space.”
The refurbishment emphasises the northern light in the lounge and bar area. The hotel’s old wooden windows were removed and bifolds were installed, brightening the space. The jarrah floorboards were brought back to life, and the building’s exterior was freshly painted black and white to reflect the interior décor.
“Everything has had a fresh coat of paint. We included some dark feature walls which help break up the white and have added some plants to bring some softness,” said Deb.
“In the foyer we added an understated feature ‘M’ on one of the walls.
“We removed an old-style water feature that wasn’t working and converted it into a planter box highlighted with up lights.
“A new chandelier with a modern take was installed to add a bit of glamour to the entrance.”
This “cosmetic refurbishment” had a minimal impact on day-to-day operations and the hotel was mostly able to operate as usual.
“The hotel is a hidden gem,” said Andrew.
“It does not rely on its location or street presence, but once you’ve found it and experienced its charm, you can’t help but want to go back and enjoy its interesting spaces and inspired food and beverage offering.”
