RESTAURANT & BAR - Christchurch
the Hoi Polloi
Located on the ground floor of the Carnmore Hotel in central Christchurch, Hoi Polloi Restaurant & Bar represents the transformation of a former daytime café and adjoining function space into a vibrant hospitality venue catering to both hotel guests and the wider public. The design brief was to create a space that could evolve throughout the day, from a warm welcoming environment for buffet breakfast, through to a moody and intimate setting for evening dining and drinks.
A layered palette of wallpaper, rich timber tones, deep colours, and carefully selected feature lighting work together to deliver a flexible, inviting atmosphere.
The bar was conceived as a social hub, a relaxed, comfortable space akin to an extension of a living room. Plush drapes provide the ability to open or close off sections of the space as needed, enhancing intimacy or encouraging flow. Three full-height veranda posts, salvaged from the original pre-earthquake building that once stood on the site, have been lovingly restored and now stand proudly in front of the bar, grounding the space with a sense of history and connection to place.
Materiality plays a key role in blending the old with the new. Fluted timber, finger tiles, brass footrails and fish scale tiles add texture and character, while lush greenery softens the overall feel, introducing a sense of life and vibrancy throughout.
Hoi Polloi is a celebration of both past and present, thoughtfully designed to offer comfort, style, and a sense of belonging to every guest who walks through the door.
