By Tom Mark Henry
Exploring the concept of a voyage from dark to light; past to the present and the influence of the Italian to the Australian; Hotel Morris celebrates the rich history of the building dating back to 1929 and the architect Virgil Dante Cizzio.
European elegance and a uniquely Australian character complement one another throughout the hotel, championing local Artists and celebrating the hotel’s historic roots. Located in Sydney’s CBD, careful consideration was given to the restoration of the Italian renaissance building, once holding the title of Australia’s tallest hotel building for 34 years.
Bar Morris located on the ground floor offers a highly stimulating and immersive experience that references the Italian palazzo and Art Deco aesthetics, whilst embracing the opportunity for unexpected and subversive moments. A dramatic and seductive space, suggestive of a secret society or private club that encourages patrons to lean into another version of themselves. Layered natural stone, bold reds and earthy pinks, brass details, fringing, handmade tiles, venetian plaster and Dutch parquetry floors with inset marble, unexpectedly come together in perfect harmony creating a rich and layered interior.
The guest rooms at Hotel Morris have been designed to strike a balance between personality and tranquillity, where the darkness of the ground floor starts to fade away and a lightness begins to emerge. Rich gold tones have been used with dark timber accents, bold stone and playful fabrics, paired with these elements are classic design details and timeless furniture selection. The design of the corridors is an extension of some of the maximalist elements of the ground floor, with some lighter moments to help transition patrons into the room experience. Custom graphic wallpaper, bold datum lines and two-tone carpet reflect the beauty and elegance of the rooms and drama of the ground floor.
Tom Mark Henry was founded in 2014, bringing together a highly skilled team with backgrounds and degrees in interior architecture and design. Based in Darlinghurst, Sydney, our dynamic studio is increasingly active in hospitality, retail, workspace and residential projects. We offer a full scope of services from interior design through to completion of build.
Our team is passionate and expressive. We always take a genuine and original approach to our work and love to collaborate with our clients to allow their story to guide the design. Our studio has been recognised locally and internationally, with a number of project wins and commendations. This includes the World Interiors News Awards, Australian Interior Design Awards, Eat Drink Design Awards, Interior Design Excellence Awards and Restaurant and Bar Design Awards. Tom Mark Henry were recently named as one of Australia's top 25 Interior Designers by Vogue Living in 2021.