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THE Rydges Southbank Hotel has taken a line from the song of Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York by launching an $11 million dollar refurbishment with a City of Dreams theme.
The new 2887sqm podium level, designed by Base Architects and Los Angeles-based Tracy Beckmann, will reflect high-end New York dining. There will be five function rooms that can accommodate up to 500 guests, along with a bar and restaurant.
General manager Patrick Lonergan is convinced the overhaul will radically improve the hotel’s appeal as a function and events venue.
“We are introducing some very impressive technologies to all of our function spaces including iPad connectivity, which will mean our corporate clients will be able to fully automate their meetings,” he says.
“The new design will mean more natural light for each of the functions and events rooms, which will be good for corporate meetings and daytime cocktail events. The boutique-style interiors coupled with the natural light minimises that ‘underground’ feel common to so many functions and events spaces.”
The new bar and restaurant will be named Bacchus after the god of wine and indulgence.
“Guests using our function rooms will have direct access to the Bacchus terrace, which will feature a poolside bar, cabanas and an entertainment space,” says Lonergan.
The building exterior facing Grey and Glenelg streets will receive new vertical gardens, a porte-cochère (coach gate) and four new retail spaces spanning 177sqm.
The hotel vows to minimise the adverse effects of renovation works carried out by Built Builders and SJA construction services.
“The refurbishment is largely self-contained and should lead to little disturbance,” says Lonergan.
“[For] our CBD Café and Bar – and existing food and beverage services – [it] will be business as usual throughout the course of the project and build times will be restricted to business hours and Saturdays.”
The retail space is expected to be complete by mid-2012, while overall works will end in September.
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