Redefining Expectations – The Bonobo by Raes by Richards & Spence

Hoteliers Raes, developers Podia, architects Richards & Spence and joint venture partner Centennial Property Group have collectively imagined The Bonobo by Raes as a place of transformation for both the individual and the community.

The project, which is expected to be realised by mid-2024, is the latest addition to the Raes luxury hotel and hospitality brand that includes the highly revered Raes on Wategos. Set to be-come Byron Bay’s central hub, The Bonobo is designed to diversify accommodation experiences through its 41 unique hotel apartments and a curated range of hospitality, wellness and retail options.

True to the context of its natural surroundings, The Bonobo is at one with nature and fosters a primal connection to the renowned coastal and hinterland landscapes of Byron Bay.

The Bonobo was designed by award-winning Brisbane architecture firm Richards & Spence, bringing a wealth of civic sophistication to this imaginative project. Continuing the studio’s legacy of sculpturally innovative buildings, Richards & Spence conceived the overall design as an ode to the existing fabric, accepting material cues from the famous beachside town’s historic buildings. The Bonobo’s timeless, modernist qualities anchor the landmark hotel apartments in Byron Bay’s town centre and provide a sensorial experience for those who choose to stay or live there.

The Bonobo comprises 41 two- and three-bedroom hotel apartments, meaning it’s a hybridisation of luxury accommodation options. Here, short- and extended-stay apartments have the amenity and service of a 5-star hotel. When their hotel apartment is not personally being used, owners are afforded letting income and have the added benefit of The Bonobo hotel management, who pay a high level of attention to cu-rating memorable moments for their guests.

Continuing the studio’s legacy of sculpturally innovative buildings, Richards & Spence conceived the overall design as an ode to the existing fabric, accepting material cues from the famous beachside town’s historic buildings.

Each hotel apartment is appointed with generous living, dining and kitchen spaces for entertaining while landscaped courtyards, deep balconies and private roof terraces further opportunities for social interaction. In contrast, bedrooms and ensuites are designed with tranquillity and retreat in mind, positioned away from the bustling street below.

Byron Bay is regarded as the wellness capital of Australia. Whether you’re staying for a while or just driving through, it’s easy to feel the change of pace and see how life is skewed towards relaxation and recreation. The Bonobo harnesses this focus and provides a welcome to both owners and guests through a curated selection of wellness, dining and stores that breathe life into the street level of the new precinct.

The shape, colour and material touch of The Bonobo’s brick structure are met by the considered landscape design of Surry Hills-based 360 Degrees Landscape Architecture. A rich layering of plant species transforms the façade and creates a memorable entry sequence through a central courtyard. True to the context of its natural surroundings, The Bonobo is at one with nature and fosters a primal connection to the renowned coastal and hinterland landscapes of Byron Bay.