Grand Pacific Group, has announced a seven-week refurbishment plan for The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks in Sydney.

Nestled within bushland at Georges Head, Mosman, and arguably one of Sydney’s most breathtaking venues, the Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks will close temporarily from Monday May 21st, 2012 for the refurbishment, which will reveal a rejuvenated and refreshed interior on Friday, July 6th, 2012.

The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks will close temporarily from May 21st, 2012 for refurbishment to re-open Friday, July 6th, 2012.

The cosmetic overhaul will be led by renowned Sydney-based architect Thomas Spangenberg, who also designed the interiors for Grand Pacific Group’s more recent venue additions, Sergeants’ Mess and Dunbar House. The refurbishment will centre around a new, lighter design palette that will create a fresh space with modern features, while retaining the heritage and tradition of the 130 year old building.

The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks is housed in a former military barracks, originally designed by colonial architect James Barnet and constructed in 1873. The building has had many uses over the past century, before being carefully restored and re-opened as a dining and event venue by Grand Pacific Group in 2005.

Although there will be no structural changes, the new design will also provide the ability to enclose the outdoor terrace in inclement weather, allowing guests to enjoy the stunning, unobstructed harbour views of Camp Cove, Rose Bay and Watsons Bay in all seasons.

“At Grand Pacific Group, our goal is to create dining and events experiences without compromise,” said Manuel Spinola, founder and director of Grand Pacific Group. “We represent some of the most iconic buildings in Australia in exceptional locations and it is paramount that each of our venues is as exquisitely beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside,” he said.

After seven years of high-intensity trading, Spinola felt that the time was right to re-invigorate the venue by creating a contemporary, sophisticated interior that still complements the building’s old-world charm and heritage.

“Interpreting an 1873 building to have the amenity of a 2012 venue is challenging, but we have sourced furniture and fittings from all over the world, with every element and finish carefully selected to suit The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks opulent charm and style,” said Spinola.

The new design palette of the venue will be fresh and light, boasting custom-designed carpets, wallpaper and curtains, with dining chairs in a luxurious charcoal woven fabric. Waterford crystal chandeliers will also be installed in the dining and drawing rooms to enhance the tradition of the building.
In addition, custom-made furniture crafted from Calcutta marble, onyx stone and solid timber will feature throughout the venue and will be upholstered in exquisite fabrics from Europe and leather supplied by local merchants, New South Wales Leather.

During the refurbishment, Gunners’ Barracks will remain open for site inspections and staff will be on hand to assist with any enquires.