FORBES, NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

The evocative new Melbourne workspace of Forbes Global Property (FGP), part of the Forbes media family, mediates a sublime blend of design-driven contemporary and classic elements with nuanced intent, reflective of the global property market in which it moves and the high-net-worth world around it. Inspired by private penthouse living of Fifth Avenue and the immersive ambience of a chic, small hotel lobby, the group has taken an inherently personal approach to the composition of the space, requiring it to be as workable for a coffee meeting at 9am as it is for a glass of wine at 9pm – an approach that drove the development of a stunning circular bar, a key element of the space.  

The partners set about engaging interior specialist Swee Design, architecture and design practice Studio Griffiths and builders Easton with a brief to create spaces that are emotional rather than transactional, in which they could conduct conversations and not deals. “We wanted a space that spoke to our world – somewhere residential and beautiful and personal,” says Tracey Atkins, a partner and director of FGP Australian Pacific. “The budget was tight and the timeline was “tomorrow” but they all seemed to thrive on that challenge and on knowing that they were doing something quite new in our industry.”  

“The furniture selection is curvaceous and enveloping, in deep inky jewel tones with a richly layered material palette of marble, tan leather, ebonised timber and velvets to create a luxurious moody ‘club’ ambience conducive to intimate and expansive conversation,” says Swee Lim of Swee Design. 

There’s a duality to the space, with the idea of a home office flipped to create an ‘office home,’ and as part of Forbes, the group were strongly focussed on the space having the ability to host media style events and conversations, including hosting private dinners with inspiring people from the local and global Forbes network, with the custom-made dining table is testament to this, also serving as the main boardroom table as well as hosting dinners.  

“For us at Studio Griffiths, the most important aspect of the design brief was about the people and how they would inhabit the spaces. We were also extremely keen to tell a story in a way that resonates with employees and clients alike,” says Gil Griffiths, Creative Director & Principal Designer of Studio Griffiths. “The idea was always to delineate the large spatial area into two rooms – residential (for client entertaining) and an open-plan workspace to promote collaboration and communication among employees,” she adds. 

 “The adaptable range of spaces allows for us to host a quiet one-on-one chat in the corner at the same time a full-scale presentation is going on at the boardroom table and a film is being edited in the creative space,” Tracey adds.   

Jordan Easton, Project Manager, Easton shares his thoughts on the project, “Our approach to this project was to be more than just a builder. We wanted to deeply understand the design intent and client brief, so that we could collaboratively workshop the construction methodology to create a world class space for the benefit of PPG Forbes Global Properties,”  

Reflecting on the group realising their vision for the space Tracey adds “We really set out to make our clients feel like they’re in ‘their’ space; a client came in only today and said he felt like he was in a private club.  “There is no underplaying the thrill of welcoming someone here for the first time and seeing their reaction.” 

Builder: Easton.

Interior Specialist: Swee Design

Interior Designer: Studio Griffiths

Photographer: Shannon McGrath