On the ground floor of Aurizon’s grand 15-storey office building in Fortitude Valley is The Whistle Dixie: a sleek café and bar with a playful character. Designed by Lisa Schiffermuller and Liane Jarvie of Ellivo Architects, The Whistle Dixie pays homage to Aurizon, Australia’s largest rail freight operator.

Inspired by the history, design and structure of retro trains and their stations, the hospitality venue is a sight to be seen. Throughout the space, the overall design is a nod to times past. Taking centre stage is the bar, where old train tracks hang above the main counter as reference to derailed carriages. A light box in the form of the ‘X’ train stop sign illuminates the centre of the space and can be seen from the exterior, enticing people to come in and explore The Whistle Dixie.

The client envisioned a space that was flexible and could easily be transformed from day to night. The design team at Ellivo Architects achieved this with large, sculptural statement pieces and a captivating material palette. Throughout the space, raw and robust materials such as recycled timber sleepers and concrete, are elevated by luxurious, high-quality finishes to bring a sense of elegance and sophistication into the busy eatery – creating the perfect space from morning to nightfall.

As one of the main features of the space, the main bar counter is designed with functionality and beauty in mind. This statement piece specified in Supreme Morning Sky by Staron® Solid Surfaces. Designed in vertical cladding, Supreme Morning Sky showcases high-grade flexibility, strength, durability, stain-resistant qualities and a striking finish.

The Staron® Supreme collection finds the balance between design function and aesthetics. Emulating the beauty of a veined marble, this unique collection has been meticulously refined to deliver superior performance properties with the easy maintenance of a premium solid surface. Being in a high traffic hospitality environment, Supreme Morning Sky was the ideal choice to support the working demands for a busy restaurant, as well as achieving the distinctive design envisioned for The Whistle Dixie.

From the moment you enter, The Whistle Dixie is a hospitality destination unlike any other. Designed as a playful nod to train carriages, every intricate detail throughout the space has been crafted to resemble the spirit of both Aurizon and The Whistle Dixie. The end result is an exciting, urban venue that invites you in to enjoy its unique charm, polished design and premium-quality touches by Staron® with an electrifying culinary experience to match.

Staron® Solid Surfaces
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