Club Rose Bay
A storied RSL club that preserves the club’s legacy while strengthening its facilities and hospitality offering to ensure it remains a vibrant community hub for generations to come.
Club Rose Bay, a storied RSL club that has served veterans and the Rose Bay community for more than 75 years, has reopened following a highly considered, year-long transformation by Merivale. The restoration preserves the club’s legacy while strengthening its facilities and hospitality offering to ensure it remains a vibrant community hub for generations to come.
The significant upgrade – the first since 1979 – was led by Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes, with architecture and interiors by Akin Atelier and styling by the Merivale Design Studio under Design Director Nasim Koerting. Works include new kitchens, redesigned interiors and a landscaped, dog-friendly outdoor courtyard featuring a full size pickleball court, half basketball court, alfresco dining and an outdoor Airstream bar.
“I’m honoured that Merivale has been entrusted with the privilege and responsibility of supporting the reopening of Club Rose Bay, an institution that has been a cornerstone of the community for more than 75 years and a place I’ve known my entire life. Working closely with the Club, we have designed the venue to capture the nostalgia of classic RSLs while introducing contemporary elements to preserve its heritage and futureproof it for many generations to come,” said Justin Hemmes, Merivale CEO.
The design is grounded in timeless charm, recalling an era when clubs were places to gather and linger. Material selections favour warmth, tactility and familiarity: timber, brick and textured glass are used as contemporary reinterpretations of the building’s 1940s architectural language, ensuring the club remains welcoming, inclusive and true to its long-standing spirit.
“We drew inspiration from the nostalgia of the classic Australian RSL - a space of warmth and sense of community. Working closely with Justin and Bettina and Nasim, we have designed overlapping spaces that allow for members and guests from all walks of life come together,” said Kelvin Ho, Founder, Akin Atelier.
A new hospitality offering unfolds across a series of layered spaces. Notti’s dining room opens to views over Rose Bay and the alfresco terraces, defined by cherry-stained timber partitions and amber-tinted hammered glass that casts dappled light. The adjoining Pizza Oven Bar references the original façade through corbelled brickwork drawn from the building’s fabric.
Beyond, Mr Pop introduces a playful counterpoint — a jet-age-inspired cocktail and record bar that nods to the site’s history as Australia’s first international airport. Conceived as a 1950s airport lounge, the room layers plush carpet that folds up walls, corduroy banquettes, low lighting and bespoke cherry-wood speakers, with patterned glass lightboxes casting a soft peach glow.
The sports bar continues the balance of familiarity and renewal. Pool tables anchor the room, surrounded by cherry-stained timber panelling, leather banquettes and solid timber tables inlaid with mahogany chess boards. Chrome-edged tables sit atop custom diagonally patterned carpet, adding liveliness while remaining true to the RSL vernacular.
Outdoors, the club extends into landscaped environments designed for casual encounters and family use. Breezeblocks surrounding the alfresco dining reference original blocks uncovered during construction, while lime-washed planters double as informal seating.
Central to the restoration is a new memorabilia hall honouring more than a century of Australian service. Lined in custom-milled timber with integrated curiosity cabinets, it displays photographs and artefacts from the club’s 100-plus-year history, offering an educational and reflective space for future generations. The Ode of Remembrance is read at 6pm each evening, followed by a minute of silence to honour those who gave their lives in service.
“We really enjoyed working closely with the club to thoughtfully incorporate their memorabilia into the space. Together, we explored their archives, uncovering pieces and stories that bring the club’s history to life for visitors to experience. It was incredibly special collaborating so directly with them. There are so many beautiful stories to be told, and we feel truly fortunate to have been part of sharing them,” said Nasim Koerting, Merivale Design Director.
TEAM
KELVIN HO, DIRECTOR
SASHA TATHAM, PROJECT DESIGNER