Designed for the subtropical climate, Queensland’s vernacular architecture has an easy, breezy unpretentious style suited to the Sunshine State’s laidback lifestyle. Woods Bagot has taken the vernacular style – the distinctive Queenslander – as inspiration for the redevelopment of The Ville Resort-Casino in Townsville, creating a welcoming, sought-after venue for tourists and locals alike.
The existing nine-storey hotel built in the 1980s had little connection to the water. Woods Bagot updated the property to take connect with the scenery, climate, water and views, redeveloping the 194 guest rooms and combining an events space, pool, five restaurants and nightspot into one integrated offering.
“Our design was inspired by the natural and historic qualities of Townsville,” says Wade Little, Woods Bagot principal and global hotel sector leader. “The intention was to create a lush pleasure garden using unpretentious forms and materials to respect the laidback atmosphere and vernacular architecture of Townsville.” The Queenslander style also complements the mid-century aesthetic of the existing hotel.
The sprawling layout of the resort takes advantage of the abundant sunshine and offers areas of shade. Interior and exterior spaces frame large-scale views of the water, while more intimate, small-scale moments connect guests to nature and greenery. Broad verandahs, brise-soleil walls and awnings are characteristic of the Queenslander, and timber and stone sourced locally where possible. Woods Bagot reimagined and repeated the circular motif of the original hotel throughout the resort: in the landscape, ceiling, floors, stairs, awnings and graphics.
The restaurants and bars take their design cues from the coastal location with blue-and-white stripe fabrics, cane furniture and summery colours. The venues face onto the pool and garden with views of Magnetic Island. Designed in collaboration with Daniel Baffsky of 360 Degrees Landscape Architect, the landscaped lawns and timber decking surround an elevated infinity pool with a swim-up bar, with palm trees adding to the tropical holiday vibe.
The guest rooms evoke a mid-century California spirit with leaf-print carpets, retro-cool furnishings and a clean palette of crisp white, calming grey and luxurious emerald green that echoes the tropical location.
“We have created a destination that is wholly connected to what makes the area beautiful, capturing breathtaking views of the ocean and framing the surrounding greenery,” says Wade. “It’s incredibly gratifying to hear from locals that the resort is not only welcome, but a fully-embraced part of the community that offers quality services that were missing from the town’s offering.”
Woods Bagot
woodsbagot.com
Dubois (interiors)
dubois.com.au
Photography by Simon Shiff
Dissection Information
Dining chairs and stools from Lincoln Brooks
Fermob Kintbury chair from Café Culture
Dining tables from Café Culture
Outdoor lounge chairs and occasional tables from Lincoln Brooks
Sunlounger and side table from Ledge Lounger
Ocean sunshade and visor sun lounger from Café Culture
Outdoor lawn chair from Feelgood Designs
Sun umbrella from Basil Bangs
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