The bar makes use of recycled materials including old bridge timber to add the character of the area
DESIGN & BUILD
A Hunter Valley haven FIVE YEARS ago, the land where
Bergstrom Architects, is a Sydney-
Purpose-built from the ground up to serve the budding local community in style, Huntlee Tavern in the NSW Hunter Valley has something for everyone.
fabric to define the different spaces, and
Huntlee Tavern now stands was just an
based business that works around the
they used a lot of recycled materials, such
empty paddock near a soon-to-be-built
state as well as interstate. They were
as fence palings, bricks, and wood from
residential hub called Huntlee in the
tasked with helping to tweak the design
demolished bridges.
Hunter Valley when experienced pub
and internal fitout with the brief to create
operator, Jason Gavin, first spotted
a hotel that looked new but still had the
to add that character of the area,” Gavin
an opportunity.
characteristics of the area – an old country
says. “The bar is my favourite feature of
hotel but brand new.
the pub. It’s a work of art.”
a look at the site, liked what he saw, noted
Something for everyone
lighting was project-managed by Gavin.
Coles was moving into town, and decided
The finished hotel has a bistro area which
Different types of lighting are used in
to buy the land.
includes a large three-storey childrens’
different areas, and his choices reflect the
playground, a kids entertainment room,
recycled theme.
Introduced through a friend to the area, Gavin, an experienced pub operator, took
Gavin says he always intended the
“The bar uses recycled bridge timber
The furniture, the bar finishes, and the
venue to become a destination pub as it’s
as well as seating for functions and an
“It’s very warm and inviting and I’ve
off the main arterial road in the gateway to
outdoor terrace that holds 100 people.
been getting good feedback from other
Hunter Valley, with regional towns such as
The other side of the hotel includes
Maitland, Singleton and Cessnock nearby.
hoteliers and architects,” Gavin says. “We
a lounge bar which doubles up as an
wanted to fit in with the environment, so
And after 25 years in hospitality
entertainment area and dance floor,
we’ve used lots of greens and heritage
and with a degree and experience in
a public bar, a gaming room with 15
colours, and it seemed to fit with what the
construction, Gavin knew what he wanted.
machines, and a second entry.
architects proposed.
“I knew it would have to be big and it
“Bergstrom Architects were fantastic
“Bergstrom Architects really nailed
would have to have all the functions of a
and nailed the interior and the design,”
it with their choice of materials and
tavern,” he says. “I designed a footprint
Gavin says. “It’s such a pretty hotel, and
colours. They understood what I was
for a big open plan hotel with an L shape
functionality-wise we put a lot of effort
after on the project.”
to give the frontage to each main street,
into the different spaces within it so it
with a carpark to make a rectangle.
didn’t look like an RSL.”
“We had the DA approved, and then we
Many small touches also contributed to
Local flavour Bergstrom Architects director Tom
took a look at a few different hotel designs
the hotel’s appeal, Gavin says. Chairs in
Bergstrom says that the tweaks they
and selected Bergstrom Architects.”
each of the different areas had different
suggested to the design included
26 | Australian Hotelier
