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Crystalbrook Kingsley is thrilled to have received two out of four awards at the Australasia-Pacific Hotel Design Awards in 2022. An exciting moment for the brand, this marks the second time a Crystalbrook hotel has won the prestigious Paul Davis Award for the Australasia-Pacific Hotel of the Year, in the award’s four-year history. While Crystalbrook Albion was awarded in the inaugural year, Crystalbrook is honoured to be recognised again in 2022 with its latest opening, Crystalbrook Kingsley.
The Australasia-Pacific Hotel Design Awards celebrate excellence in hotel interior design for projects located in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. The four awards – for new-build properties, conversions, refurbishments and an overall winner, the Paul Davis Award – recognise exceptional projects that demonstrate design innovation, a commitment to sustainability design practices and deliver exceptional guest experience.
Opened in June 2021, Crystalbrook Kingsley transformed Newcastle’s iconic Council Administration Centre into a sustainably considered, 130 room luxury hotel. Its namesake is a reference to Newcastle’s earlier name of Kingston, which dates back to 1804.
“We’re thrilled to win such a prestigious award. Crystalbrook Kingsley truly is a tremendous hotel and I’d like to acknowledge the incredible work from EJE Architecture and Suede Interior Design; Murray Gordon, our Development Director, for his role leading the design and construction and Carl Taranto, Crystalbrook Kingsley General Manager, for his work opening the hotel and leading the team.” Crystalbrook Collection CEO, Geoff York, said.
The hotel’s design intent was to strengthen the identity of the iconic brutalist building, while successfully retaining the beauty of the original structure and remaining respectful to its historic, Brutalist style.
“We are ecstatic to win this prestigious award and thank the industry for the recognition. It was an amazing project to work on and it really couldn’t have been achieved without the trust in our vision by Crystalbrook Collection. We are very proud to have been part of the incredible team that put it all together” mentioned Clifford Rip, Founder Suede Interior Design.
Lead architect, Barney Collins, Director of Newcastle-based EJE Architecture said: “what wonderful news it was for Crystalbrook. These awards are a great recognition for all of us involved in the transformation of one of Newcastle’s iconic buildings into a stunning new hotel for the Australasia Pacific Region. EJE Architecture are proud to be part of a great collaboration.”
Sustainability and Responsible Luxury
Crystalbrook Collection’s value of Responsible Luxury was key to the development of the hotel, endeavouring to protect the environment and create sustainable experiences that enhance, rather than compromise the guest experience. Construction involved local suppliers where possible, who reused and retained as much of the original fabric within the building and recycled all demolished materials through local recycling facilities.
Crystalbrook Kingsley also features key furniture pieces made by a local carpenter using reclaimed timbers with natural dyes and sealers, carpets made from environmentally friendly 100% undyed sheep yarns, and earthenware and key decorative pieces crafted by a nearby potter.
Crystalbrook Kingsley also features all Crystalbrook’s environmental practices, including a single use plastic free environment, a 100% waste-free bathroom, upcycled brand items and the use of technology, such as in-room tablets and mobile check-in, to create paperless environments and experiences.