Previously dark and disconnected, the design response opens the venue’s corner façades to the pedestrian laneways, connecting the restaurant to the greater dining precinct. With a focus on creating a space with a ‘powerful feminine energy’, the ground floor channels the ocean shallows, with sun-bleached timbers, sea-green upholstery, brass accents, pearlescent ceramic tiles, and coral-like lighting that clings to the ceiling. The central bar makes a statement in dynamic white and green ‘Afrodite’ marble (aptly named after the Greek Goddess of fertility and love), reminiscent of the Heart Reef in The Whitsundays. While upstairs, the magic of the ocean floor echoes a darker, more seductive space that embraces the colours of the depths, and the qualities of iridescent fish scales. Photographic artworks by Francesca Owen feature throughout the interior, further reinforcing the ethereal nature of the spaces.

To celebrate the unique architectural void over the central bar, the designers selected a set of pendant lights from the 73 Series by Bocci. ‘When guests enter the venue, we want their focus to be drawn first to the stunning bar and then up into the expansive void,’ explains Jill. ‘The idea of a dramatic lighting installation was an immediate ‘yes’ from the clients and when we began the process of searching for the perfect piece, the Bocci 73 Series with its elegant sculptural quality immediately spoke to me.’