The cathedral of scaffolding on the corner of Oxford and South Dowling streets feels like it’s been there forever. The boards have now been skirting the space for close to 10 years.
Back in 1915, a cinema opened on the corner and ran under various names for decades. Later, the space became home to restaurant-bar The Grand Pacific Blue Room.
In early 2021, it was announced that the vacant space would be transformed into Australia’s first 25 Hours hotel, named 25 Hours Olympia – a nod to the old cinema’s original name.
25 Hours is a German-born hotel chain that began in 2001. The chain is well-represented in Germany but also has outposts in Denmark, Dubai, Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland and Indonesia.
After years of building delays, the scaffolding is coming down and locals are excited about the hotel that has started to take shape.
As 25 Hours Olympia hotel manager Jeremy Colahan tells Broadsheet, “Each 25 Hours hotel is individual and made-to-measure. Each one has a soul inspired by its location… [it’s] a neighbourhood brand and we are usually more interested in lively micro locations with a local heritage than the hyper-modern CBDs.”
The history and character of the old building were especially appealing. “The Oxford Street property is a perfect brand match … nestled between the quite quirky Darlinghurst part of Oxford St and the more trendy and sophisticated Paddington part – a friction and diverse mix of neighbours that we like very much.”
The 109 guest rooms are designed by Shelley Indyk, with aesthetics that hark back to the location’s cinematic heritage. Each room has exclusive artwork by Sydney artist Kubi Vasak. “We will have a small exclusive cinema in which we can host local events and a cinematic suite as a testament to the history within our walls,” Colahan says.
The boutique hotel will also be home to four different restaurants, cafes and bars. Three of the venues are being brought over from London by lauded hospitality group Studio Paskin.
“On the ground floor, patrons can enjoy Jacob The Angel, an English coffee house and bakery, perfectly positioned for locals to stop by on the way to the office. Then there’s The Palomar Restaurant, offering flavours inspired by Southern Spain and North Africa, and The Mulwray, a chic cocktail and wine bar,” says Colahan.
Food fanatics are particularly excited about the arrival of The Palomar, which has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand award since 2014 and has a reputation as one of London’s hottest restaurants.
A new bar, Monica, will sit on the hotel’s rooftop, with views of Sydney and a fit-out inspired by ’60s Hollywood nostalgia.
25 Hours Olympia is aiming to open in July or August.
