Designed by the famous Brisbane architect Richard Gailey and Constructed in 1885, The Wickham Hotel has long been known as an architectural gem in the heart of Fortitude Valley. With a well-known entertainment background and diverse history of use, ANID set out to add another layer to the culture of the Wickham Hotel- Upstairs.

Created with an aesthetic derived from American Antebellum Architecture and interpreted with a colour palate of teal, grey and gold; the space gives the effect of a large, well appointed home.

Given that the Venue is located on the first floor of the Wickham and the access is based around a large Edwardian staircase; the sense of progression was highlighted using a Teal coloured Ombre’ paint effect, transitioning from darker entrance up into a lighter lobby.

Decorative mouldings were highlighted with a contrasting black paint, Twin Chandeliers and new upholstery complete the entrance to the Dance floor.

The Dance floor is a space with Japan black floors with walls in a black and white Ombre’ paint treatment, gold curtaining. The new stage area (which also doubles as a casual seating area) is carpeted with a bold blue rug and matching floor cushions, creating both a highly sociable and yet intimate space.

Moving through to the main bar area, the guest passes through what had once been a under-utilised and ignored corridor space, however with the application of a chinoiserie patterned wallpaper from Pierre Frey and a series decorative ageing techniques, the wallpaper now highlights the lost history of the hotel.

The main bar with gold and copper highlights and brick look wallpaper, the combination forming a warm, inviting area, New stools and tan coloured upholstered seating, copper lighting and gold curtaining complete the new look for the space .

These series of bold rooms now have a individual yet cohesive aesthetic unmatched in Brisbane, the perfect response to a venue which has seen so much over its 130 years and ANID is looking forward to its future.

Audio wise this was a challenging project due to the reuse of existing equipment the client already owned, however it was possible to upgrade all of the drive equipment which greatly assisted in the end result.

Four JBL Marque series 15″ horn and two JBL Marque series 18″ subwoofers were used along with two Acoustic Technologies Fro1, driven by three Lab Gruppen E12:2 and one Lab Gruppen 2400 amplifiers.

Lighting wise most of the design was supplied by Alexia designs, and applicated by JF Productions. The dance floor lighting design was undertaken by David Warren a contractor to Spirit Hotel.

Gear includes eight Chauvett LED banks, twenty-four mirror balls misc sizes, 40m warm white LED tape (under bars and step treads) and custom treated LED lamps in chanderliers.