With interior design by Scott Carver, Auckland will welcome IHG’s first Hotel Indigo in New Zealand in 2021, with Ninety Four Feet as the property developer. Housed within a mixed-use development, our challenge was to interpret IHG’s neighbourhood story for this 225-key hotel in Auckland. Maintaining the façade of the original historic building, the development will be among Auckland’s tallest buildings, which captures the local soul of the area and attracts the Upbeat Curious Traveller. This heritage building, which was the first luxury car importer in Auckland, as well as an auto mechanic for many years following, formed the basis of the design team’s inspiration for the design of the lobby, F&B offers and public areas of the hotel.

“This development is destined to become an iconic landmark on the Auckland landscape, and with robust tourism arrivals and unprecedented demand, we are confident that Hotel Indigo Auckland will be a story of success,” says Dean Rzechta, Managing Director, Ninety Four Feet property development.

“Scott Carver’s interior design of Hotel Indigo is a celebration of downtown Auckland’s transformation, which has now become a vibrant cultural hub for entertainment, business and living. The bold and creative interior design solutions which the Scott Carver team has come up with for Hotel Indigo creatively draw upon the heritage of the site to surprise and delight guests,” says Rzechta.

Bold and creative interior design

“The building’s industrial features are set against bold and creative interior design solutions, such as elements from vintage car detailing, layered with subtle local references to enrich the story of the hotel,” explains Angela Biddle, Director, Scott Carver.

Exposed brick and reclaimed timber from the site will be featured, set off by architectural details, such as metal framed reeded glass partitions, that take their reference from the industrial nature of the building, alongside lighting inspired by the hotel’s neighbour, St Patrick’s Cathedral. Vintage car detailing is evident in the rich leathers and button and tufted seating, while a reclaimed basketball court floor pays homage to the building owner and our client. 

Moving up into the guest rooms in the modern, 39-storey tower, heritage elements become more streamlined. Bathroom furniture and room joinery showcase vintage and industrial detailing, which is set against warm timber flooring, white rendered walls and gold metal trim to create a fresh canvas. The neighbourhood story is featured through the quilted upholstered bedhead and lounge seating. A scaffolding-inspired open wardrobe and peg-board display make reference to the building’s auto-mechanic history and provide space to tell the neighbourhood story in imagery such as the tui feathers on the throw cushions, and objects such as jet plane lollies for guests to enjoy. The Indigo attitude comes into play through local accessories and bathroom amenities, and iconic art prints such as Micky to Tiki by Dick Frizzell.

“We’re so excited to open one of the first globally-branded boutique hotels in Auckland, creating a destination for travellers who are looking for a local experience, with the security and amenity of a global brand,” says IHG Senior Director Development Australasia Abhijay Sandilya.