12 Apr 2020
Words
Ben Hall Informer Issue 97
Boutique Design Goes Regional
It wasn’t that long ago that a road trip into country Australia involved a basic motel room with parking out front, a TV with just one channel, packets of instant coffee, soap in plastic wrap and a cooked bacon and eggs breakfast thrown in.
The trend towards design-driven accommodation properties is well and truly taking hold in regional Australia and the Byng Street Boutique Hotel in Orange, western NSW, is a good example of that.
With 22 rooms and suites, it opened in August 2019 right in the heart of Orange's heritage precinct within an easy walk to great restaurants, cafes and boutique shopping.
The town of Orange has developed as a tourist destination in its own right thanks to its world class wineries and classic Australian regional setting and the hotel combines great architectural design, a vibrant interior design, high quality accommodation and personalised and sophisticated service.
Formerly the historic “Yallungah” homestead, built around 1896, the property has undergone major renovations to create a refreshing combination of historical homestead and contemporary architecture.
Yallungah has now been restored to highlight its heritage features, including the slate roof, internal and external timber joinery. Mayoh Architects were engaged to design the new rear section of the hotel based on their extensive experience in bringing together old heritage buildings with stylish modern additions.
The vision for the restoration and expansion has been to bring life into the building that would intrigue the guests. Inspiration has been drawn from the quirky details of the existing building, local artists, the surrounding landscape and the history of the region.
The accommodations are a choice of either contemporary rooms in the Modern Wing or historic style and charm in the Heritage Wing.
"We've combined elements that we've loved from hotels we've stayed or worked at to create a bespoke luxury accommodation experience," says Kristen Nock who developed the property with husband Tom.
