The place to be ever since it opened, Paramount House Hotel has been able to keep the creative community coming back to its premises and its adjoining offerings – cafe, restaurant, bakery, bar, cinema and health club.

Founded by Mark Dundon and his partners Russell Beard and Ping Jin Ng, the trio are behind some of the most exciting micro roasters and cafes in the country (Reuben Hills, Paramount Coffee Project, Seven Seeds and Bondi Hall).

Their concept in the former Paramount Pictures Australia building began in 2013, first began with the Paramount Coffee Project and Golden Age Cinema & Bar, followed by a co-working space attracting the city’s most creative studios. The Paramount Coffee Project, a cafe with the best coffee and brunch on offer, naturally attracted the creative class to quality caffeine to fuel their working days. Soon after, the 29-room hotel opened, christened Paramount House Hotel.

Now, Beard and Ng lead Paramount House Hotel onwards as the building itself continues to evolve. With a new pilates studio (Studio Mouvoir) and a permanent cafe space for A.P. Bakery on the rooftop, Paramount House Hotel is still the one-stop-spot in Sydney to stay, dine and unwind at.

Paramount House Hotel offers an experience rarely found anywhere else, where a stay at the hotel includes immersion into local life in Sydney.

From brunch in the cafe on the ground floor (where most Sydney-siders schedule meetings) to lunch on the top floor terrace rooftop. It’s a truly unique hotel that makes you feel like you are part of the creative community, all the whilst enjoying the great climate that Australia has to offer in the outdoor spaces.

THE DESIGN

Located in the Surry Hill neighbourhood, the area is vibrant and full of local life and creativity.

Originally built in 1940, the building was transformed by Breathe Architecture (Australia’s most sustainable architecture firms). Art Deco in style, Breathe were able to subtly transform it, keeping its individuality whilst adding a new identifiable identity for the hotel.

Led by Breathe architect and founder Jeremy McLeod, the PHH design blends into it surroundings, but upon a closer view, it turns heads. A geometrically-patterned copper-clad extension above the existing building cleverly acts as a privacy screen for rooms and protecting from the bright Australian sun.

THE ROOMS

Upon arrival, guests are invited to a welcome drink of sparkling naturally-infused bubbles or beer, as luggage is taken up to rooms by staff.

Guestroom design is equally as individual as it is functional. Staying in any of the 29 rooms at the Paramount House Hotel doesn’t feel like staying in any other hotel. The room layout and design is refreshingly unexpected, with each room different to the next.

Amenities are all Aesop, whilst cosy Paramount-branded bathrobes are available for every guest during their stay also. The in-room mini bar highlights independent Australian-owned products, stocking the best of local or national suppliers such as ready-to-drink bottled cocktails by Everleigh Bottling Co and Archie Rose Distillery. Locally-brewed Seabass Mediterranean Lager by Yulli’s Brews (in Surry Hills) is also stocked in the minibar, as are wines from Nick O’Leary’s in Canberra and Delinquente Wine Co in South Australia. Gateway Coffee by Reuben Hills is also found in the room offering, which is the best coffee in the city. It’s obvious independent suppliers are championed where they can be at PHH.

For anything else, a custom vending machine in the downstairs reception foyer area provides additional ‘essentials’ such as condoms, snacks and more.

DINING & DRINKS

POLY

On the corner of the Paramount building lies Poly, the sibling venue to Chippendale’s famed Ester restaurant. Open Tuesday through to Saturday, the wine bar and restaurant presents small dishes and a great selection of curated wines. A great evening spot without even leaving the Paramount building!

PARAMOUNT COFFEE PROJECT

Breakfast, brunch or lunch is equally delicious on this ground floor cafe, and the coffee – needless to say – is outstanding. A perfect hangout with a great menu, service and interior design. Seating is also available on street level where you can watch local life pass by.

STUDIO MOUVOIR

The on-site pilates studio Studio Mouvoir offers classes almost every hour of the day on the top floor of the hotel building in the Rooftop Pavilion. Hotel guests receive a discounted rate for the pilates classes, and are available to book anytime with the hotel reception team.

Studio Mouvoir keeps pilates simple, with brilliant equipment and expert trainers. Developed by Sydney Pilates instructors Erin Brooks and Claire Victor, Studio Mouvoir’s pilates style is dynamic yet flexible enough to accommodate beginners to more advanced. There’s also a separate bathroom and change area which is more than convenient, with Leif amenities available for guests.

Not only does it give guests a reason to travel up to the Rooftop Pavilion of the building and see the remarkable view, it’s a chance to also discover the adjoining facilities that the hotel offers connected by elevator (such as the A.P. Bakery cafe and bar also on the top floor, or the cinema on the lower ground floor).

THE FINAL WORD

There is always movement in the Paramount House building, the hotel has great event programming, in addition to the cinema and rooftop pavilion, there’s never a dull moment at the Paramount House Hotel. 

When one needs solitude however, it’s easy to retreat into guest rooms for some me time among the beautifully-designed rooms.

Paramount House Hotel
80 Commonwealth St,
Surry Hills NSW 2010

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Text: Monique Kawecki
Images: As credited, Champ Magazine© and Tom Ross