GRACE HOTEL

Built in the 1920s by brothers Albert and Joseph Grace, this landmark Neo-Gothic building stands in the heart of Sydney, its glazed terracotta façade a rare luxury at a time when most surrounding buildings were constructed from local sandstone. Designed by architects Morrow & Gordon and inspired by the Chicago Tribune Tower, the building was conceived for height and grandeur, and remains one of the city's most recognisable heritage landmarks.

A major restoration programme, undertaken between 2018 and 2021, required the replacement of 1,500 terracotta tiles across more than 20 different lintel variations. Working alongside the heritage conservation architect, structural engineer, and Heritage Council, we produced dimensioned drawings, trialled new fixing systems, and hand-manufactured each replacement unit to match the building's original profiles and glaze.

It's a project that reflects the enduring quality of handmade terracotta and the skills our craftspeople continue to draw on for heritage projects worldwide, from Sydney to New York to Montreal.