DOMA Group Opens Latest Property, Little National Sydney

Main Photo: The new Little National Sydney

Date: November 2020

Location: Above Wynard station, CBD, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Name: Little National Sydney

No. of Keys: 120

Seller: TBA

Buyer: DOMA Group has enlisted renowned architecture and interior design firm, Bates Smart to create a modern approach to accommodation at Little National Sydney.

Nestled above Sydney’s humming Wynyard station, overlooking the CBD streets, DOMA Group has opened their new hotel in Sydney.

Doma is a Canberra based group that began in 1974 in the residential sector. Since that time it has established itself as a significant participant in the property industry, particularly the ACT, in all sectors including multi-unit residential apartments, commercial office, hotels, retail and carparks. The Group generally invests in property it develops for its own investment, but also purchases investments in the open market and sells some of its developments.

It is one of the largest private hoteliers in the ACT owning and operating all of its hotel operations including food and beverage facilities. It has also recently expanded into New South Wales with a significant presence in Newcastle. They have the five-star new and others.

While the new property draws inspiration from its inner-city location, the compact, urban site provided a new set of challenges for the Bates Smart design team. Placed directly on top of transport infrastructure, the building is supported via a steel frame structure; a structural engineering method rarely used in Australia. The exterior features a simple linear form with soft curved corners, creating a seamless connection with outside. Horizontal bands double as sunshades, a subtle nod to the previous transport house, harmonising with the heritage context of the building.

“Little National Sydney’s design focuses on providing everything you need, but nothing that you don’t”, says Guy Lake, Director at Bates Smart and the creative force behind the hotel’s architecture. “We wanted to ensure this hotel felt refined and understated, without compromising on quality and space.”

The hotel’s communal guest areas are the real hero of the property; light-filled and generous in size, the spaces have been designed as an experience in their own right. The spectacular open plan rooftop with double height ceilings features an expansive library work-space, exclusive bar and custom-built fireplace with intimate lounge seating. Filled with greenery, yet set amongst the city skyline, the indoor-outdoor setting provides guests with a private oasis to work, drink and socialise in the heart of the vibrant Sydney city.

The theme of natural light and efficiency of space is evident in every considered detail of the guest rooms. The floor to ceiling window draws guests toward the bespoke super king-sized bed with charging ports, television and lighting all within arm’s reach. Full use of space continues with the joinery design. To minimise bulkiness, the joinery has been crafted to look at one with the furniture and welcome the natural light through the window.

“We are so pleased to have crafted the Little National Sydney for DOMA,” says designer Hayden Crawford, who led the Bates Smart interior design team. “It’s a fresh and exciting offer for Sydney – especially the rooftop, which will be a destination like no other in the city. It still feels like a Little National hotel, but it creates an oasis in Sydney’s dense urban landscape.”

THPT Comment: Interesting company, with a fresh approach to design.

First Seen: The Hotel Conversation

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