Dutch master rework: Emerge Capital's office renovation in The Rocks

A 19th-century shipping warehouse overlooking Sydney Harbour has been transformed into a luxurious corporate office reminiscent of a gentleman’s manor house in this sensitive renovation.

Situated on Hickson Road in The Rocks, the ASN Co. Building was designed by William Wardell, who is responsible for a number of prominent architectural landmarks including St Mary’s Cathedral, opposite Hyde Park in Sydney, and Government House in Melbourne.

Built in 1884, the rare example of Anglo-Dutch architecture features a polychrome brick facade, copper-roofed bay and ornate stone-capped gable ends.

Occupying three floors at the northern end of the building, property and infrastructure investor Emerge Capital set out to create a headquarters that was responsive to the rich history of the address.

With a brief to create a workplace that felt more like a grand residence than an office, interior designer Michelle Macarounas of Infinite Design Studio created a series of adaptable spaces including private offices, co-working areas and board and function rooms in a project that took 18 months to complete.

“When we first walked in, it felt very old and tired,” says Macarounas.

“It was a little bit uninviting, so the idea was to warm it up.”

The strong colour scheme is based on the original woven rugs.

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The deep reds, blues and greens add accents of colour against the background of soft neutrals, dark timbers and rich leather furniture.

Period features such as the Dutch-influenced fireplaces and bathrooms in the original Steam Boat Chief’s apartment on the top floor, and the beautiful spiral staircase, were mixed with a range of vintage, contemporary and custom-made furnishings.

“If you look at most of the buildings from that time, they’re very English, but this one has a lot of elements that were characteristic of Dutch architecture at the time.”

Vintage pieces include mid-century chairs by Australia’s Grant Featherston and Denmark’s Hans Wegner. Contemporary items comprise lighting by Tom Dixon and Jason Miller. 

Working with Art Bank, Macarounas compiled a collection Australian and indigenous pieces for the project, including photographs by Leah King-Smith and Josh Rambling, and paintings by Stephen Eastaugh, Guy Maestri, Claire Milledge, and more.

In front of a fireplace, a Grant Featherston Scape armchair is paired with a table lamp used as a prop in the movie The Matrix, while the conference table, teamed with Eames Management chairs, is a vintage piece from the offices of Rolex in the US.