Euro is a relaxed space designed to be timelessly cool, to appeal to a younger market. Coastal Californian beach club precedents became a key influence and driver for the overall look, feel and materiality.

Euro Bar and Restaurant has been a longstanding Auckland treasure. Great service and amazing food in a glamorous setting overlooking the harbour and waterfront are drawcards that have enhanced Euro’s stellar reputation.

Recognising that the interior was tired, the client asked for a refit that matched its reputation and also attracted younger customers.

With big ideas to launch a refreshing rebrand with seasonal menus and art collaborations, the client wanted a background style to support it. The brief was to create a ‘modern club-by-the-sea’ concept.

A luxury material suite was selected to identify Euro as a premium destination. Pink travertine stone, white marble and lush leather throughout create a slick but relaxed tone.

We introduced soft outdoor drapes that would dance in the breeze, grand modern candelabra-style chandeliers, and tropical plants to create that dreamy coastal Californian experience. Feature exterior walls featuring iconic mid-century Palm Springs breeze blocks help to enhance the Californian look.

To achieve a seamless indoor/outdoor flow, that would attract customers all year round, we extended the drapes, chandeliers and plants into the restaurant interior. We really wanted to create a modern-looking candelabra that would look sleek but carry the traditional character of real candles and warm hues. We teamed up with James Russ to create a light design that had the grand qualities we were after including scale and materiality. Each light was set within a real wax candle that was hand-routed out and uniformly fitted around the frame finished in stunning blackened brass.

With the rebrand and seasonal launches in mind, we integrated LED lighting around the central columns dotted throughout that can change colour to align with the featured artwork, menu or changeable plates. We also designed a wall that was built behind the maître D desk at the entry that would host artist prints or projections each season.