Studio Tate was commissioned by Melbourne developers SMA to design the apartments and common areas for ‘The Regent’ a new multi-residential development in Victoria’s bustling Fitzroy. Studio Tate began the project with a carefully crafted display suite aimed at captivating prospective buyers. Rather than demolishing the existing 1990s office building occupying the site, the project team embraced its reuse, transforming it into a showcase of The Regent’s design vision and meticulous attention to detail. “Reusing the building shell and services was far less wasteful than demolition and allowed SMA to invest in a larger, more luxurious display,” explains Liz Ride, Associate Director at Studio Tate.

In shaping the interior approach, Studio Tate turned to the site’s original use as The Regent Theatre, sparking associations with Hollywood’s golden age. The concept of ‘cinematic glamour’ emerged as a guiding narrative, bringing contrast, classic geometries and playful flourishes into dialogue to creating an escape from the bustling activity of Johnson Street – “much like the experience of stepping into a hushed theatre,” reflects Liz.