Reforming Excellence – Centenary Hall by Rolex and Woods Bagot

In collaboration with Woods Bagot, Rolex has reinvigorated its Oceania headquarters in Melbourne. Alongside the restoration of Centenary Hall’s original features, the new space is imbued with a state-of-the-art fit-out to lead the luxury watch brand into a new era.

Following an extensive restoration of the six-storey Centenary Hall building in Melbourne, Rolex and Woods Bagot unveil a celebration of both the luxury watch brand and the 1935 art deco building. Additional to the refurbishment, Rolex’s new Oceania headquarters houses two floors dedicated to custom watchmaking facilities and hosts a training program for watchmaking – the first of its kind on Australian shores.

“Rolex has restored and reinvigorated this important historic building, preserving it for the future,” says Peter Miglis, Architect at Woods Bagot.

Through the celebratory restoration, Woods Bagot has maintained historically significant details of Centenary Hall, such as essences of the building’s façade and interior. Evidently seen with the original terrazzo flooring in the foyer, Woods Bagot and Rolex have also chosen to revive the original Orange Order star as well as the decorative ballroom ceiling to their original grandeur. “Rolex has restored and reinvigorated this important historic building, preserving it for the future,” says Peter Miglis, Architect at Woods Bagot. “It’s a wonderful gift back to the city of Melbourne and it demonstrates Rolex’s unceasing quest for excellence, and their focus on precision and quality.”

Expressed through the building’s design, the refurbishment embraces Rolex’s pursuits of innovation, technological advancements and use of form and space. In a blend of aesthetics and functionality, the architects create a space that brings together administration staff and watchmakers under one roof whilst uplifting the space with a saturation of natural sunlight.

Expressed through the building’s design, the refurbishment embraces Rolex’s pursuits of innovation, technological advancements and use of form and space.

“The purpose-built environment reflects our commitment to the principles of architecture and design,” says Benoit Falletti, Managing Director at Rolex Australia. Set to be incorporated into the Rolex exhibition at the 2023 La Biennale di Venezia, the Oceania headquarters showcases Rolex’s deep connection to architecture and design.