Makers, Creatives and Community Converge – Ace Hotel by Flack Studio

A hotel that throws its weight behind design and human experience in equal measure is bound to grab attention. Add a bold, youthful Australian design firm and an international hotel powerhouse to the mix and things get interesting. Cue Ace Hotel in Sydney designed by Flack Studio – Atelier Ace’s first outpost in the Southern Hemisphere opening in May this year.

Housed in the Surry Hills Tyne brick factory on the site of one of Australia’s first ceramic kilns, Ace Hotel Sydney is a homage to the historic nature of the site and a celebration of the area’s rich cultural fabric. This, paired with Atelier Ace’s innate curiosity for makers, creatives and community and Flack’s singular oeuvre, brings a project set to redefine how we want to holiday.

Flack Studio’s unrivalled eye for colour and detail is instantly recognisable. Shades of terracotta and eucalyptus sit comfortably alongside blonde timber and tan leather notes while generous blocks of primary colours and richly veined marble are delightfully unexpected and undoubtedly Flack.

The 264-room hotel in Sydney’s bustling inner-east is Ace Hotel’s 10th project, with current locations in Seattle, Portland, New York, Palm Springs and more. “Though its culture and character are all its own, we’ve always felt a strong affinity with Australia — its intrepid optimism and renegade spirit resonates with Ace’s roots on the Pacific Coast of America,” says Ace Hotel Group’s President, Brad Wilson.

Ace Sydney features a ground floor restaurant, bar and café in the lobby area, and a rooftop restaurant and bar. The rooms vary in size from 22 to 78 square metres; you can get cosy in a twin double or revel in a spacious loft or suite, with several options in-between. Regardless of size, each room is warm and playful, with spirited touches such as custom Tivoli radios or D’Angelico acoustic guitars suggesting ease and familiarity.

Flack Studio’s unrivalled eye for colour and detail is instantly recognisable. Shades of terracotta and eucalyptus sit comfortably alongside blonde timber and tan leather notes while generous blocks of primary colours and richly veined marble are delightfully unexpected and undoubtedly Flack. Commissioned artwork and furnishings permeate the interiors, while custom designed furniture, joinery and lighting by Flack Studio add boundless and cohesive character. Founder and Director of Flack Studio David Flack says that the studio was “committed to creating a warm space that brought together Australia’s cultural history with Ace’s unique, community-cultivating approach to hospitality.”

There’s a lively playfulness to Ace Hotel Sydney; its infectious energy will no doubt lure us in for a stay. As a project, it effortlessly combines a deep respect for artisanship and history with, well, fun. It inspires adventure and exploration – not merely in the city in which it sits, but within its own walls.