The transformation is complete at Electra House, Adelaide’s newest entertainment venue in the heart of the CBD, which has just opened its doors to the public.
The $10 million three-storey redevelopment of the heritage-listed building, located on King William Street, features one of the city’s largest beer gardens, a modern Greek restaurant, Olea, and events spaces on the top floor.
Electra House Interior Designer Danielle Elia says Electra House sets a new benchmark for venues in Adelaide, and adds to the vibrancy of the newly activated Waymouth St precinct and redeveloped Victoria Square.
“As a large-scale destination venue, with a capacity of 700-plus across the three levels, it’s a complex that demands to be seen as we have so much to offer all in the one location,” Miss Elia said.
“Ground level is home to Electra Bar, where LA glam meets Hamptons-style charm inspired by the art deco era, and in the beer garden, a relaxed space with raised deck and steel and glass staircase connecting the garden to the upper levels of Electra House,” she said.
Alfonso Alés
International chef Alfonso Ales has been appointed Executive Chef, and has worked in some of the world’s most renowned Relais-Chateaux hotels and Michelin star restaurants.
“Adelaide is a great city with a Mediterranean and Southern European feel that makes me feel very much at home, coming from Seville in Spain,” Mr Ales said.
“We will feature dishes inspired by my Spanish roots like tapas, together with American and Greek influences, to ensure a fusion of cultures while staying true to the original recipes,” he said.
Taking inspiration from New York City’s West Side and East Side, the top level has two event spaces featuring unique design elements that differentiate the two forms of the city’s architecture. The East Side room is a chic penthouse-inspired space, taking its cues from the sophisticated apartments on the “Upper East Side” of New York City, with the kitchen doubling as a bar, bespoke lounges and locally commissioned artwork.
Built in 1901 by the Citizens’ Life Assurance Company, Electra House as it became known, was home to SA’s first electric lift and later became a telephone exchange and telecommunications museum.
Miss Elia believes the heritage building’s canvas, which features six metre high coiffured ceilings, intricate mouldings, and Corinthian pillars, provides a space that is modern and moody with a hint of luxury.
“We’ve retained a lot of the timeless heritage features throughout and combined it with a contemporary fit out that includes show-stopping bespoke pieces and lush foliage throughout,” she said.
“The grand scale of Electra House bucks the trend of the boutique small licence pop up bars across the CBD and will appeal to people looking for something out of the ordinary.”
Electra House is the fourth stage of the master planned City Central redevelopment encompassing Waymouth, Franklin, King William and Bentham Streets. It was designed by Studio Nine and Danielle Elia with construction carried out by Schiavello.
For more information, go to www.electrahouse.com.au , www.facebook.com/electrahouseadl or follow on Instagram and Twitter at @electrahouseadl or by using #meetelectra.
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