press kit

Layered with industrial chic, rich history and inspired interiors

Ovolo Hotels is an independent hospitality company that owns and operates a collection of individually designed hotels. Founded in 2002, Ovolo is a family owned and privately-operated business with a charitable

core. The company now runs four hotels in Hong Kong, and six hotels across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra. Ovolo Hotels recently launched a new brand, Mojo Nomad, which is a co-habitation concept for global nomads, combining travel, work, lifestyle and community. Mojo Nomad Aberdeen Harbour opened its

doors in December 2017 and was joined by Mojo Nomad Central in September 2018.

Infusing art and history, Ovolo 1888 blends together modern design with rich heritage, bringing a new and exciting boutique hotel experience to Sydney’s Darling Harbour. Made with photographers, art fans and

design enthusiasts in mind, Ovolo 1888 is captivating. Each corner of the hotel’s heritage-inspired designer interiors is a picture-perfect moment just waiting to be experienced.

Wonderfully located in Sydney’s inner suburb of Pyrmont adjacent to Darling Harbour, Ovolo 1888 offers a prime location for guests to immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant culture. Something worth getting out of bed for, all of Sydney’s treasures, The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Sydney Fish Market and Chinatown are just a

stones-throw away and make for the perfect backdrop to narrate our guests’ story of their time with us.

Ovolo 1888 celebrates Sydney’s rich history while engaging with and inspiring the modern-day traveller. The building was a former wool store, built in 1888, and only recently restored into a modern design-led Hotel. The building is the oldest wool store with a saw tooth roof in Sydney and possibly the fourth oldest of the 21 wool stores surviving in Sydney.

It has a unique and fascinating history since its original construction.

From the late 1800’s the Pyrmont/Ultimo area was the primary location within Sydney to house the wool trade. While there were

and milk, wool was the absolute dominant trade.

During this time the area held 20 huge woolstores across the suburbs making it a lively industrial precinct. The area’s population actually declined in the 1880’s as houses were knocked down

Pyrmont Bridge in 1858 (a timber toll bridge from Market Street) stimulated further development in the area.

HISTORY

The building was a wool store for many years – and was owned and operated by some of Pyrmont’s most respected wool merchants.

During the days of operation as a wool warehouse the store would receive wool, and was equipped with the most modern arrangements in the way of passenger and goods, lifts, whips, and all the latest appliances, so the handling, storage, and display of wool was run as a science. When the store was in use the wool bales were hoisted up through manholes and the empty wagons left through a large door at the rear of the building. This wool was then moved from the exterior of the building on Allen street throughout the Pyrmont area and into the Darling Harbour goods yard.

Dated back to 1888, Ovolo 1888 reimagines the original building with Ovolo’s signature twist to create a triumph of restoration and a new genre of hotel, heritage-modern chic. Understated reclaimed Ironbark beams and exposed brick walls meet punchy Australian pop art and vibrant furniture to give guests a glimpse into the building’s history, while creating a new story of Australian history - the Ovolo Story. Ovolo 1888 welcomes guests to document their stay in their

breathtaking backdrops to enjoy, relish and share.

Date Wool Store Name

1888 JH Geddes1894 Macburney, Wallis & Co1895 Campbell, Nimmo & Co1897 Campbell, Nimmo + Wyly1898 Wyly, Trechard + Co1920 - 1951 Clarence Bonded + Free Stores

Ovolo 1888 as it exists currently opened in July 2013 after a $30 million redevelopment of the site. The

room boutique hotel that embraces the heritage of the site while injecting some designer cred into the Sydney hotel game.

The redevelopment design brief was succinct: “Look at the building. Understand the building. Respect the building.” Exposed brick, concrete, ironbark beams, pillars and even the period windows have been kept to celebrate the building’s biography.

Each room’s heritage foundation has been carefully layered with modern design elements to create the uniquely Ovolo feel. From it’s original construction as a Victorian warehouse to its modern feel today Ovolo 1888 has maintained its heritage roots and is a proud historic building in the area.

The actual Ovolo 1888 building itself proved to be the main design inspiration behind the property’s interior. Not wanting to shift too far from its classic and mid-century construction and features, Rachel Luchetti from Luchetti Krelle was commissioned to design the lobby, shared spaces and bedrooms, and worked closely with quintessential Australian artists to help bring the Ovolo brand to the 1888 infrastructure.

Design

ArtThere was a high level of consideration and respect when it can to the original structure of 1888. Everything from the old horse cart track, to the sawtooth roof, original timber and Percy Ewart’s encryption on the old wool store sandstone, could

history of this iconic Sydney building alive.

Jasper Knight was another famous Sydney artist commissioned to ‘set the Sydney scene’ for Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour. Known for his artistic indications to Sydney Wharf and Harbour, Knights iconic ‘machinery’ and ‘old factory’ vibe incorporated with wild blocks of colour can be seen throughout the hotel.

Artists such as Oliver Watts, known for his work on Australian landscapes, was originally engaged to create work for the hotel lobby, ended up having his designs displayed throughout the hotel in more ways than one. His iconic print focussed creations, which encapsulate electric energy and pops of colour, were enlarged cropped and displayed in all areas of the hotel – with prints being blown up to use as the wallpaper in the majority of the rooms. Although chopped and changed, Oliver’s art is instantly recognisable.

Each room at Ovolo 1888 is carefully curated with its signature design quirks to retain the historical beauty of the site, while creating a modern and luxurious boutique space for guests to enjoy. In true Ovolo fashion,

Hotel’s unique offerings, such as our Jasper Knight art works. At Ovolo 1888, guests are invited to experience, capture and share the Ovolo story to tell and add to their own. Absolute comfort and effortless living are key to every room, suiting the needs of the individual business traveller

screen LED television, an iPad Mini, 24-hour room service, and Ovolo’s signature Freebies – breakfast, Wi-Fi, happy hour, self-serve laundry and in-room mini-bar. With a range of rooms including those best suited to a business guest or those for couples looking for a luscious weekend away, Ovolo 1888 rooms have all you need to indulge, sit back and enjoy your time with Ovolo.

GUEST ROOMS

Ovolo 1888 has 2 x very unique and different penthouse suites which can also be hired out for private events. The Shaken suite is a versatile split level space which gives you the freedom to create your own unique Ovolo experience – any way you want while the Stirred Suite has panoramic city views, sun-drenched rooftop patio and all the luxurious inclusions of the modern high life!

SHAKEN AND STIRRED

WINING & DINING Ovolo has teamed up with renowned Sydney-based Chef and Restaurateur, Justin North, to create Mister Percy - a Mediterranean-style wine bar and kitchen housed in Ovolo 1888. A tribute to Percy Ewart, a former wool classer who worked at the original Wool store, the restaurant aims to be a comfortable space, designed by Luchetti Krelle, for hotel guests, neighborhood friends and locals to relax and enjoy.

Mister Percy features a coastal European menu showcasing classic

Boasting a respectable menu of Mediterranean wines and with dishes designed to be shared among friends, Mister Percy is welcoming guests to join in on the fun and relax, have a yarn, graze and make memories.

The interiors incorporate an eclectic bistro-style aesthetic melding vintage décor with modern taste and sensibility. A comfortable lounge which showcase a mix of plush fabrics, leathers, and cane bark features besides Venetian-style painted pieces in a palette of greens, red, blues and pinks, inspired by Australian gum trees.

Ovolo 1888 offers one ultra-modern and versatile space, which is ideal for small to medium off-site board meetings or private dining. Drenched in natural light, it has a separate lounge area as well as high tech features.

Meetings and events

CollABORATORSfounder and ceo,Girish JhunjhnuwalaSo! Who’s the man behind Ovolo 1888’s industrial chic? Let us tell you…

His name is Girish Jhunjhnuwala, otherwise known as ‘GirishJ’ and he’s the “Peter Pan Entrepreneur!” Just like the lovable character, he’s a disruptor, game-changer and rule-breaker.

He recalls growing up in the eighties and falling in love with rock legends such as Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Prince & U2. It wasn’t only their music that he admired but the way they re-invented themselves as artists and constantly changed with the times. He’s a Negroni enthusiast, a neon sign lover, an adventurer and loves the people around him to have fun and enjoy life.

So when GirishJ began his path in the hotel industry, in his home city of Hong Kong, he decided to do things his way; just like the free-

Why should he use the same old cookie cutter of what a hotel ‘should’ be like? With his sharp business mind, his innovative vision, eye for opportunities and desire to create a hotel that he personally would love to stay, he started his plan of attack.

He decided to incorporate all that he loved as a child and young adult and create Ovolo Group - a collection of ever-evolving, boutique, funky & fun hotels.

Who loves a free mini bar? Free Happy Hour? Fast Wi-Fi? Free breakfast? Fun sweets & lollies whilst you’re settling in? What about bright, bold and fabulous design? GirishJ wanted all of this and more – so Ovolo Hotels were born!

They all adopt an effortless living ethos, making the hotel experience seamless for their guests and best of all, they’re full of superstar team members – Ovolo’s Shiny, Happy People!

He’s now an award-winning entrepreneur, hotelier & restaurateur. But his life didn’t start in hospitality. At the age of twenty, in 1984, he took over his father’s watchmaking business. By the year 2000, he knew time was up for watches and by 2002, Ovolo Group was created! The company now boosts four hotels in Hong Kong and six hotels in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in Australia. Other countries are also on the hit list so stayed tuned!

GirishJ’s anything but ordinary approach to business has lead to several pieces of silverware. He was crowned the HM Awards APAC Hotelier of the Year 2018 and EY Entrepreneur of the Year China 2016 to name a few.

GirishJ is known as the Peter Pan Entrepreneur for his adventurous,

and life. He’s certainly the CEO to have on your radar as you’ll never know what’s in the pipeline & what he’ll come up with next!

Follow his social channels for behind the scenes info and exclusive announcements on where and how GirishJ is taking Ovolo Hotels to the next level!

www.girishjhunjhnuwala.com

@girishjovolo@Girishjjwala www.linkedin.com/in/girishjhunjhnuwala

We’ve ditched the boring hotel lobby music and created Radio Ovolo! With the greatest tunes from AC/DC to Prince, you

can pump your playlist and hear all the hits on Radio Ovolo on Spotify. A carefully curated playlist for you to relive the glory

days of music whenever, wherever.

In your car, at the gym, on the loo, at your desk, on the train, while walking the dog, in the shower, under your blankets, while

watching paint dry…

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Our family keeps growing

ServicedApartment

SOLD

SOLD

REMADE

REMADE

The intimate Mister Percy space has been designed by award

at once old world and yet, completely contemporary. Mister

Percy demonstrates charisma and quirky-ness, opulence

and warmth, all through a uniquely Australian palette.

As the various disciplines of design often overlap and

concept; this includes branding and identity design,

appropriation and even sourcing site locations. The result is

unique and customised spaces that respond to client briefs

and anticipate future trends whilst acknowledging current

international design styles.

interior Designer

Luchetti Krelle

Mister Percy has collaborated with acclaimed Australian Chef

and restaurateur, Justin North (left), working with Head Chef

complementing the unique wine selection. Both Justin and

abroad and at home. Justin is best known for the beloved

Rose Bay and most recently, A Tavola.

Justin North& Luca Guiotto

wine curator, overseeing the development and ongoing

direction of Ovolo’s wine program. Shun comes by way of

QT Sydney, where we worked as Curator of Wine. Shun

before working his way through an array of esteemed

Dory Social Club, Icebergs, etc.

CURATOR of wine,

SHUN ETO

Contact DetailsOvolo 1888 Darling Harbour 139 Murray St reet, Pyrmont, Sydney,New South Wales 2009, Australia

Tel: + 61 (02) 8586 1888

www.ovolohotels.com.au

Socials@Ovolohotels @Mister.Percy# Ovolohotels # MisterPercy

Media EnquiriesTel: + 61 (02) 9331 9068

Email: media@ovologroup.com