The existing courtyard was refurbished to provide a pleasant outdoor lounge area with a feature sculptural sandstone tiled wall and timber decking.
Development and Building process
Due to the state of disrepair prior to the renovation, the owners decided to cease trading rather than attempt to trade through it. This was met with horror from the existing (but few) patrons who even set up a website called “RIP Riverview” which invited dedicated “Riv” drinkers to post photo’s and anecdotes about the pub. This was actually a great tool for the new owners who posted the new graphics on the website reinforcing the reopening of the hotel in October 08.
The program was extremely tight as response group kept up with designing and documenting the project with the builders already on site. Lengthy weekly meetings and an extremely hands on attitude from both client and designer kept the process moving, much to the frustration of the foreman as details at times needed to be changed as surprises were uncovered during the works.
With many different floor and ceiling levels, it was a challenge to bring the spaces together. The floors were dramatically adjusted in places and staircase remodeled to comply with code.
How has it been received?
The anticipated reopening of the hotel was a point of gossip amongst the locals. It was great to see the hotel being frequented by people all ages, happy to enjoy such a pleasant environment. The older crowd appreciate that the bones of the old lady are still there but with a freshness and comfort that was not there before. The younger demographic are also frequenting the hotel regularly with even some of the blue collar boys enjoying a cold beer in the afternoon in the welcoming space. They seem to be all here, from prams to business suits. It’s an easy space to enjoy.
Finishes
• The exterior was refurbished and repainted; the old awnings and beer advertising were removed and a new colour scheme of olive green and black trim was brightened by welcoming red doors. The aim was for the hotel to blend with the neighbouring houses in the residential street, rather than stand out as commercial premises.
• New polished timber floors throughout the ground floor
• Reclaimed timber was used for the ground floor bar top, contrasted with handmade red feature tiles to the bar front.
• Custom dry bar tables were made using the same reclaimed timber and matched with custom bar stools (the underside of the stool seats have the Riverview ‘R’ initial cut into them – a feature which few will see but shows the pride of the joiner & owners in the finished product).
• Other loose furniture includes custom banquettes in the downstairs lounge and upstairs restaurant, ottomans and coffee tables from a local furniture shop, second hand lounge chairs that were re-upholstered and a mix of new upholstered chairs in a variety of fabrics and red painted dining chairs for the ground floor bar.
• Subtle cream on cream patterned wallpaper in the ground floor lounge area softens the walls in contrast to the timber panelling through the main bar.
• The ground floor bathrooms were fully refurbished with contemporary fittings while the use of mosaic tiles referenced the old style. The new first floor bathrooms are more glamorous with black and silver wallpaper covering the walls and ceiling.
• A wrought iron piece that was originally part of a gate has been reborn as a screen between the ground floor lounge and main bar
• A large artwork featuring a steamship (treasured and remembered by many past patrons) was retained and relocated as a feature in the new bar.
• In the upstairs restaurant the emphasis on the food and produce is highlighted by the large window through to the kitchen, menu blackboards and displays of bread, antipasta and other items along the bartop.
• The first floor bartop is reconstituted stone above the Onyx cushion mosaic tile feature and timber veneer front
• Custom carpet to the restaurant in a leaf motif took inspiration from the view of leafy tree views from the first floor windows
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