Uncover once more the mid-century charm of a hotel nestled in Sydney
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, a landmark hotel in the heart of the city, has undergone a significant AUD $70 million overhaul, marking a pivotal reset for the iconic property. The renovation, led by Australia-based multi-disciplinary design practice Fender Katsalidis (FK), has transformed the hotel into a sophisticated and modern space while honouring its midcentury modernist essence.
Originally opened in 1966, the heritage-listed building was Australia's first international five-star hotel and a midcentury modernist landmark. The renovation, therefore, aimed to bring it firmly into the 21st century with a contemporary approach. The design focus was on heritage preservation and spatial flow, incorporating warmth, texture, and local craftsmanship to reimagine the iconic hotel.
The key features of the renovated Sofitel Sydney Wentworth include a warm, layered arrival space with a sculptural ceiling installation of 400 hand-mounted lights, and the reconfiguration of Tilda, a ground-floor seafood grill, into the lobby. The palette of Tilda is inspired by the Australian landscape, and the furniture is from local makers.
The terrace outside Delta Rue, previously underutilised, is now home to the Wentworth Bar, an alfresco space beneath a glass-and-copper canopy, with terrazzo tables and potted greenery. Delta Rue, located on level five, offers a menu of French-Vietnamese plates, including Banh khot with rare-breed pork and Hanoi-style pork neck skewers.
Bar Tilda, adjacent to Tilda, offers a more sultry atmosphere with burgundy tones, wooden Venetian blinds, and dramatic drapery that changes with the time of day. The food menu at Tilda includes dishes like Fraser Island spanner crab ravioli, WA king prawns, and a selection of local wines. Bar Tilda houses a 100-strong Australian whisky library and serves drinks like Lost At Sea, a cocktail inspired by former prime minister Harold Holt.
The redesign has made the hotel a bold, biophilic (nature-inspired) addition to its vibrant Sydney neighbourhood, emphasising connection to place and environment. The materials used in the renovation of the rooms and corridors are calm, tactile, and quietly luxe, giving the spaces a stronger sense of refinement.
The Wentworth Bar, once a terrace outside Delta Rue, is now an inviting alfresco space beneath a glass-and-copper canopy, with terrazzo tables and potted greenery. The materials used in the renovation of the rooms and corridors are calm, tactile, and quietly luxe, giving the spaces a stronger sense of refinement.
The lobby has been reconfigured into a warm, layered arrival space with a sculptural ceiling installation of 400 hand-mounted lights. The bathrooms in Sofitel Sydney Wentworth remain untouched, but new carpets, joinery, soft finishes, and muted lighting have been added.
The redesign approach focused on heritage and spatial flow, using warmth, texture, and local craftsmanship to reimagine this modernist landmark. FK's approach to the renovation has been smart, grounding the hotel in a strong sense of narrative that elevates its identity and restores it as a true city icon.
The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth has long been one of the city's most recognisable addresses, hosting a variety of dignitaries, royalty, and VIPs. The hotel offers a newsletter for design stories from around the world. The renovated Sofitel Sydney Wentworth continues to stand as a testament to the city's rich history and vibrant future.
[1] Information sourced from Sofitel Sydney Wentworth's press release.
- The reimagined lobby of Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, featuring a sculptural ceiling installation of 400 hand-mounted lights, showcases a warm and layered home-and-garden ambiance, embodying the contemporary lifestyle of the iconic property.
- The terrace outside Delta Rue, now home to the Wentworth Bar, offers an inviting home-and-garden atmosphere beneath a glass-and-copper canopy, complete with terrazzo tables and potted greenery, creating a tranquil home-and-garden escape in the heart of the bustling city.
