Overview
The service industry has really been through some things lately. 'Shake up' doesn't even come close. Crowd-sourcing, app-ification, and hyper-localisation mean that the service industry we enjoy looks nothing like what our parents knew. And the latest offering from the team behind Paramount Coffee Project, Reuben Hills and Melbourne's Seven Seeds is a testament to this brave new world.
The Paramount House Hotel won't be a hotel in the traditional sense of the word. It's gone local instead of global. It won't be a glitzy chain where everything looks and feels the same no matter which country you're visiting. It aims to be an immersive local experience and give visitors a genuine slice of life in Surry Hills.
The hotel will be part of Paramount House, which currently houses Paramount Coffee, a co-working space and Golden Age Cinema. The hotel's lobby will blend into the downstairs cafe, and a two-storey extension will provide 29 rooms. Room service will be provided by acclaimed local restaurant Ester. Finally you'll be able to eat their sourdough ice cream in bed.
Ng sees the hotel's patronage being similar to the crowd that comes into Paramount Coffee — those that appreciate "good food and coffee, but also beautifully designed spaces and interesting events".
The vision for the hotel has been realised by Melbourne architecture firm, Breathe. You may know them for their work on Seven Seeds, Brother Baba Budan, Host, the Collingwood Arts Precinct, The Commons and Transformer. They'll retain the heritage details and deck it out with little luxuries like private terraces, generous greenery and Aesop products in all the bathrooms — of course. We'll keep you updated on an opening date.
Paramount House Hotel is expected to open in early 2018 at 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills. They're currently hiring staff too. For more info, visit paramounthousehotel.com.