The Darling Suites by FK

FK’s refurbishment of The Darling Suites at The Star Sydney exudes refined luxury and playful sophistication. The 16 bespoke suites were reinvigorated to offer guests high-quality experiential moments.

The Darling, located in the The Star’s tourism and entertainment precinct in Sydney’s Pyrmont, is a prestigious Forbes 5-Star-rated hotel. Offering stellar harbour views and lofted ceilings, the spacious penthouse suites are shining jewels in the studio’s illustrious portfolio of work.

“The team’s approach went beyond aesthetics and instead focused on creating an emotional response with an intense interrogation of all possibilities,” says Catherine Allington, associate principal of FK.

“The team’s approach went beyond aesthetics and instead focused on creating an emotional response with an intense interrogation of all possibilities,” says Catherine Allington, associate principal of FK. The sanctuary-like guestrooms are restorative, made unique through the site’s proximity to the harbour and contrasting elements of joviality and opulence. These characteristics are introduced in layers, subtly included throughout the rooms and corridors for guests to discover playful elements of interest. “The deluxe penthouse suite with the all-red karaoke room is unrestrained in its playfulness, so this is counteracted with an equally enhanced atmosphere of restfulness through the hues of soft greys and sages in the bedrooms,” says Allington.

Slight variations appear between each suite, as the team were working with existing rooms, an approach that created experiential vignettes and a level of distinction that sustains intrigue for returning guests. The experience of patrons was at the forefront of the team’s focus, and they ensured the rooms had a high level of privacy by addressing acoustics and the journeys to and from the suites.

The sanctuary-like guestrooms are restorative, made unique through the site’s proximity to the harbour and contrasting elements of joviality and opulence.

“Working closely with the client, we have been able to align our goals, sharpen the overall vision and drive the necessary holistic approach to deliver something bigger and more meaningful for Sydney,” says Allington of the two-year journey from conceptualisation to completion. “Our goal with the refurbishment of the two levels is to offer captivating experiences and one-of-a-kind memories through design. With this intention, each guest suite is reimagined to have its own unique visual and sensory journey, creating distinctive moments that oscillate between playfulness and respite.”

Interior design by FK. Build by Shape. Artwork curation by Curatorial+Co. Lighting consulting by FPOV.