Lobby, 628 Bourke Street
From Sterile to Social
Activating the Heart of the Building
Transformation & Activation | Design & Build
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Creating Connection in the Core
The lobby at 628 Bourke Street functioned, but it didn’t connect. Cold, sterile, uninviting; it was a space to pass through, not pause in. Our client saw the opportunity: transform this under-utilised area into a destination that drives leasing success and tenant satisfaction. Not just a lobby, but a business centre that buzzes with life.
LAYERED INTERVENTIONS THAT ACTIVATE
Warmth, Technology, and Flexibility
We approached the space through thoughtful layering. Custom tile borders integrated with existing marble floors, defining new carpeted zones without wasteful demolition. Collaborating with a digital creator, we replaced imposing screen imagery with custom artwork that engages rather than dominates.
The business centre delivers flexibility: fully integrated plug and play AV, bookable meeting rooms, and two spaces (14 person and 12 person) that convert to a 60 person conference setup. A glazed operable wall connects the incoming café tenant to the lobby, allowing activity to flow between zones.
CUSTOM FEATURES THAT DEFINE THE SPACE
Strategic Investments in Atmosphere
Warmth came through considered choices. Autex acoustic ceilings perform beautifully in the boardroom and business lounge. A custom 10 metre Ilanel light feature floods the space with light and draws the eye upward. Plantimage’s statement faux tree brings unexpected natural scale. Southdrawn pendants, Townscape planting, Shawcontract flooring, and District furniture throughout—every detail intentional, every choice contributing to the transformation.
SEAMLESS DELIVERY
Coordination and Precision
The 10 metre Ilanel feature was installed using scaffolding combined with a scissor lift, executed with precision. Off the shelf ceiling solutions maintained timeline and budget. Clear communication across trades delivered zero variations and no tenant complaints throughout construction.
THE RESULT
Immediate Impact, Lasting Value
Leasing traction increased immediately. Knight Frank property management expressed strong satisfaction. Client feedback was overwhelmingly positive. But the real measure? The space is being used exactly as envisioned—tenants gather, meetings flow, the lobby has become a destination.
This is what happens when design thinking meets strategic activation. A sterile lobby became the beating heart of the building, proving that the right interventions can fundamentally change how people experience a space.
