QT Auckland Wins Paul Davis Hotel Design Award

It’s been six months since we opened our doors and welcomed you into the heart of the extraordinary. Six months since we first dared you to explore what’s behind closed doors, discovering the beauty that lies within. Six months since we fully transformed an inner-city office building into a bustling waterfront playground, including luxe hotel rooms, Esther’s airy Mediterranean-inspired space and Rooftop at QT’s dramatic design and sparkling views.

Six months in, and we’re humbled to announce that QT Auckland has won the Paul Davis Hotel Design Award for our eclectic mix of art, design and intrigue. Taking home Best Refurbishment in Australasia, we’re honoured to be recognised for no small feat.

As a conversion project, QT Auckland’s design was expertly coordinated around the structure’s existing elements. Far from conventional, our guest rooms have over 35 unique floorplans, featuring unexpected elements like curved walls, exposed concrete and asymmetrical layouts.

A metaphor for the building conversion, the oyster-inspired design flows through all our spaces. The weathered, rough, raw and natural textures of the shell’s exterior is juxtaposed with the smooth, colourful and luxurious nature of the inside. At QT Auckland, you’ll find pearly hues and a lot of mood.

A true collaboration, every element of the hotel was part of a detailed design process, and a big shout out goes to the masterminds behind the project, Dean Duckworth, EVENT Hospitality and Entertainment Director of Project Management and Design; QT’s longstanding design collaborator Nic Graham; direction on restaurant spaces by Chef Sean Connolly; and QT Auckland’s owners Russell Property Group and Lockwood Property Group.

And a huge thanks to you, QTies. To our biggest fans and design aficionados, we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

QT Auckland was announced as the winner of the Paul Davis Hotel Design Award’s Best Refurbishment in Australasia category at Design Inn Symposium on Tuesday 4 May 2021.

The Paul Davis Hotel Design Awards recognise the best-of-the-best in design and architecture in the hotel, tourism and hospitality fields in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific and celebrate exceptional projects that demonstrate design innovation, a commitment to sustainability design practices and deliver exceptional guest experience.