We are excited to unveil District’s Sydney flagship showroom housed in a heritage masonry building in the city’s design precinct. An exciting pairing of innovative architecture and exquisite furnishings, it is a unique environment for local design enthusiasts to explore and experience the world of District.
Designers Josh Cain and Lily Goodwin from award-winning studio Pattern Studio oversaw the transformation of 85-91 William Street Darlinghurst, a space that operated as a warehouse in the early 20th century.
“Given it’s District’s first Sydney showroom, we were mindful of the power of a first impression,” says Goodwin. “We felt an older, character site would communicate a feeling of depth and history that a new commercial space simply could not.”
Backing onto charming Yurong Lane, the site feels a world away from busy, bustling William Street. “You could be mistaken for thinking you are somewhere in western Europe,” she says. “By activating this back entrance, it offers a unique arrival experience for District’s customers.”A ‘scarred’ concrete driveway leads to the lower ground level, where exposed brick and fine metal framework is softened and illuminated by warm LED lighting. Because every District product tells a story, custom display elements, like a sumptuous sculptural stoop and utilitarian tiered chair wall, embrace understated architectural sensibilities. The main counter on the ground floor is a free-standing artwork crafted from terrazzo salvaged during construction; its clever reuse speaks to District’s strong sense of sustainability.
“We ensured these elements were suitably restrained in style so as not to detract attention from the products they are exhibiting,” explains Goodwin. “Decorative additions throughout were also consciously omitted, with the design focusing on improving the quality of the spaces architecturally through structural modifications.”
