Women's Culture Jill

16 J I L L A U S T R A L I A Designed to act as a retreat from the rush of the CBD, The Grounds of the City is inspired by the original city coffee houses of the 1920s. Caroline and Vince worked at the character of this space for years, planning and building, to capture the essence of old-school hospitality through every detail. Like the coffee houses of yore, The Grounds trades from dawn to dusk, and feels like the kind of place you visit to slow down and socialise – to have a chat, a meal, or a warm drink, which is exactly what Acme intended. With recycled French tables and bright neon signage, The Grounds of the City is full of nostalgic charm – reigniting the soul of Sydney’s CBD. Sitting at the heart of Oxford Street in Paddington, Fred’s was designed to feel just like a home – warm, welcoming and uncomplicated. To achieve an intimate and honest space, Vince and Caroline collaborated closely with the restaurant’s Head Chef, Danielle Alvarez, to ensure her approach to food shone through every detail. Centred completely around an open kitchen, the interiors at Fred’s capture the spirit of the local-produce-based menu, and the philosophy of the talented young chef at its helm. Just downstairs in the basement, Charlie Parker’s is an intimate bar with an innovative cocktail list crafted around seasonal produce and botanicals. With exposed sandstone walls and dark wood, the bar feels soulful and inviting – exuding a rich sense of history. While these two spaces each have their own unique identities, it was important to Vince and Caroline that they work together harmoniously. Because they’re shaped by an overarching ethos, the transition from one to the other feels seamless and purposeful. C A S E S T U D Y: C A S E S T U D Y: THE GROUNDS OF THE CITY FRED’S & CHARLIE PARKER’S