Lightbox Espresso and Wine Bar

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About The Job

Peter Hawkins and his business partner Benito Zussino knew they wanted an experienced builder for the fitout of their business venture, Lightbox Espresso and Wine Bar. Peter also knew that commercial builder, Murchie Constructions, was the right builder for the task.

Drawing upon more than 20 years experience in building and fitting out McDonald’s restaurants, Andrew Murchie and his team worked with Peter and Benito’s architects and designers to bring their careful, stylish planning into reality.

Once an uninspiring, empty tenancy situated adjacent Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre, Lightbox exudes a sophisticated, but casual, ambiance.

Taking centre stage, the 11.5m long, 1200mm high polished concrete bar is the focal point of Lightbox. Cast offsite in one piece, the bar weighing more than 2 tonne, was carefully craned up six stairs into the building and then manually manoeuvred onto a timber and ply substrate.

The raw, industrial theme is continued into the outdoor terrace with a laser cut aluminium wall and ceiling panels. Powder coated black, the panels are backlit with LED lights to create a cityscape illusion. Balancing the metropolitan theme, the stunning, kingfisher wall mural bridges the terrace and is sudden burst of nature.

An arbour of timber and steel delineates an outdoor dining area in the public space of the Entertainment Centre’s Piazza. Stainless steel planter boxes supporting trellised greenery create further definition whilst maintaining an open outlook.

Fixed timber seating adjoins the planter boxes defining the tenancy entrance. The angular line lengthens the area, and the casual furniture on the ‘lawn’ enhances the feel of outdoor dining.

Not only is this project an example of what happens when smart design meets quality building, Lightbox Espresso and Wine Bar also captures spirit and vibrancy and is a welcome addition to the Gladstone CBD.