Conjuring the Familiar – Hotel Ponsonby by CTRL Space

Words by Bronwyn Marshall
Photography by Jono Parker
Interior Design by CTRL Space
Styling by Hire Plants

As an extension of a previous legacy and an exercise in reuse, Hotel Ponsonby takes occupancy in the old post office building in its landmark heritage siting. CTRL Space collaborates with restaurateur Hugo Baird to infuse a sense of community in conjuring the all-inclusive meeting space of the familiar gastropub.

Nestled into established surrounds in Ponsonby in Auckland, Hotel Ponsonby sees the combining of the comfortable and the known as an embrace of an intentionally diverse clientele. Taking reference from the traditional London gastropub offering, a similar approach aims to appeal to both small and large groups, families, colleagues and friends. The location and its significance within the existing and prominent post office building lends itself as the ideal community space, one where any number of people are welcome and encouraged to gather. The approach internally sees a palette of warm and inviting elements, with varied seating settings emphasising a matched diversity to its offering. CTRL Space combines a European sensibility together with handcrafted elements from local makers and proposes a place intended for casual meetings and a vast variety of patronage.

Soft and muted green and beige tones combine with dark stained timber, while neutral plaster walls add texture and movement above the consistent timber datum anchoring the space.

Built by Econstruction and Blanc Industries, Hotel Ponsonby is an elevated pub offering, while still maintaining a sense of approachability. The space is layered with an array of seating offerings, from leather curved booth settings to bar and dining arrangements. The overhead floating fabric pendants inject a tailored and softly dappled romance and, when combined with the timber and tile features, transport the visitor to any number of culinary destinations in Europe. Soft muted green and beige tones combine with dark stained timber, while neutral plaster walls add texture and movement above the consistent timber datum anchoring the space. The heritage surrounds offer a previous narrative that the new aims to weave in amongst, while still allowing the original to be celebrated.

The deliberately generous interior volume allow chatter and sounds to rise above the guests, while softer textures help absorb that same sound. Throughout, while the feeling of embrace was important, so too was ensuring the proposal sought to be a welcoming and communal place for all, where an embedded flexibility allows for a number of uses, adapting as needed. With the bar as the main focus upon entry, its length and vastness assist movement through the space, while also being a sculptural feature and destination in itself, leading through to the courtyard space and the warming hearth of the fireplace.

With the bar as the main focus upon entry, its length and vastness assist movement through the space, while also being a sculptural feature and destination in itself, leading through to the courtyard space and the warming hearth of the fireplace.

Hotel Ponsonby is a place that brings people together and through respectful nods to the building’s past, CTRL Space has continued a rich narrative of the building.