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Kent Street Lobby, Sydney CBD

A Refined Commercial Arrival

Set within a premium commercial tower in Sydney’s CBD, the Kent Street lobby has been designed as a calm, highly resolved arrival space — where materiality plays a defining role in shaping the experience.

The use of Midnight Granite (Custom) establishes a strong and cohesive foundation throughout the lobby, lift areas and circulation zones. The deep tonal base anchors the space, while the scale and precision of the stone detailing introduce a quiet sense of sophistication.

From the moment of entry, the material palette works in balance with light, volume and architectural form — creating a space that feels both substantial and considered.

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Place Sydney CBD
Project Type Commercial

Material Selection Midnight Granite

At the core of this project is a fully customised specification of Midnight Granite, developed to suit both the architectural intent and the performance requirements of a high-traffic commercial environment.

The material has been produced in a combination of formats, including 450 × 450mm and 900 × 450mm modules, with varying thicknesses of 20mm and 50mm. This considered approach allows the stone to transition seamlessly across different zones — from expansive lobby floors to more defined architectural elements such as stairs, landings and thresholds.

The result is a consistent material language, carefully adapted to suit each application.

Finish & Performance

A combination of finishes has been specified to balance aesthetics with function.

Flamed and waterjet finishes have been applied across primary circulation areas, including ramps and stair treads, providing durability and reliable slip resistance in a high-traffic environment. In contrast, honed finishes have been introduced in selected zones to soften the overall palette and create subtle visual variation.

The integration of a Silhouette Contrast Tread further enhances both performance and clarity at stair edges — reinforcing safety while maintaining the refined, cohesive aesthetic of the space.

 

Detailing & Application

What defines this project is not just the material itself, but how it has been resolved.

The consistent module, clean jointing and precise transitions between surfaces speak to a high level of coordination between design and execution. Across ramps, staircases and lift lobbies, the stone has been detailed to feel continuous — allowing the architecture to read clearly and without interruption.

Subtle variations in tone and texture within the granite bring depth to the space, particularly as natural light moves across the surface throughout the day.

A Cohesive Commercial Outcome

This project demonstrates the role natural stone can play in commercial environments — not only as a durable surface, but as a defining architectural element.

Through custom sizing, considered finishes and precise detailing, Midnight Granite has been used to create a lobby that feels grounded, sophisticated and enduring.

Project Details

Location: Kent Street, Sydney CBD
Application: Lobby, lift entry, stairs, ramps
Material: Midnight Granite (Custom)
Finishes: Flamed & Waterjet, Honed
Special Features: Silhouette Contrast Treads, custom sizing across multiple formats

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TAKE US THROUGH THE INITIAL STAGES WHEN YOU WERE DESIGNING THE HOME.

We were very fortunate to work with the noted Southern Highlands Architect, Martin McGrane, on the creative design and layout of our home. Together with Martin, we created a beautiful, contemporary open plan home to enjoy with our family and friends.  This is our forever home.

Through a friend of ours, we came across an interior designer, and a beautiful outdoor material, the Cathedral Limestone, which we just fell in love with. We worked closely with Peta Daniel, Interior Designer from Daniel Baker Design, based in Sydney.  Which was wonderful, Peta just got us and what we were wanting to achieve in our home and helped us to make it a reality, in the selection of materials and finishes.

 

WERE THERE CERTAIN PEOPLE/PLACES THAT YOU TOOK INSPIRATION FROM WHEN DESIGNING/BUILDING THE HOME?

We were looking for a contemporary design, however, I didn’t want it to be too modern.  Inspired by a property in LA, that my husband came across, which we took some concepts from and added our ideas, and made it our own.

The LA contemporary look and detail leading into the house from the front door was something that we just loved.  Along with having one row of tiles that runs along the inside of the glass sliding doors leading into the living/dining room from the alfresco space was also a unique detail we wanted to include.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACED THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING PROCESS?

The build started in February 2020, and with all the delays throughout COVID, material delays, supplier issues, constant rain, mud pools, you name it, we had it!  Encountering all the possible elements, it felt like we were living in gumboots most of the time during the build.  It took 3 years to build the property, and 8 months just to get the roof on!

We had a deadline for our home to be finished by, which was our daughters’ wedding, being held in March 2023.

There were delays happening everywhere, including issues and delays with the quarry who were providing the Limestone that was to be used in all the outdoor areas surrounding the property.  We had chosen Cathedral Limestone in an alfresco finish with a lovely organic distressed finish on the edge, that we knew would complement the other natural materials we were using.  Time was of the essence, and it came to crunch time and the quarry could not provide a guaranteed time of delivery.  We thought what a disaster!

 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH SAREEN STONE.. AND HOW THE TEAM HELPED TO OVERCOME THE SUPPLY ISSUE WITH THE CATHEDRAL LIMESTONE.

Working closely with Michael Mastro, from Sareen Stone, he had been in constant contact updating me as best he could.  Then an alternative solution was presented, another Limestone of the same size and finish, with similar tones, which I hoped would work and arrive in time.  Sareen Stone had been behind the scenes working closely with another quarry, to create a new product ‘Lavarosa Anticato’, just for our project, so that we had a solution and were able to finish our home in time for our daughter’s wedding.

When the material arrived, we couldn’t have been happier.  We just loved the Lavarosa Anticato, and it worked so well with our colour palette, and love it even more than our previous selection.  We were over the moon!

 

DESIGNER COMMENTS:

Working with Kate and Eugene on this project was wonderful. They were passionate about the overall design but also the finer details and the interplay of the natural materials with the surrounding landscape.

It was very important that the natural material palette was harmonious, and that each element was both complementary and warm.

I’ve worked with Michael from Sareen Stone on a number of projects and have always been impressed with his professional advice and clear communication. The magnificent home warmly wrapped with the “Lavarosa Anticato” is simply stunning.   A beautiful project!

Peta Daniel, Daniel Baker Design

 

IN COLLABORATION WITH:

Interior Designer:  Daniel Baker Design, 0414 341 778
Architecture:  Martin McGrane Architects, 0412 242 253
Photography and short film:  Bolt Media, 0426 607 040