Iain Halliday is the director of Burley Katon Halliday (BKH), a locally-based and internationally renowned, award-winning design practice.
Iain has had a decades-long love affair with Potts Point, although he now splits his time between Potts Point and Palm Beach.
BKH have seasoned the area with their designer touch. They refurbished The Rex, have fitted out units in the Ikon and worked on retail spaces such as Arida. I had a chat with Iain about why he thinks Potts Point is one of the best places to call home.
How long have you lived in Potts Point?
I’ve been living here, in Potts Point, for more than thirty years.
What drew you into the area?
It’s close to the city, we know that. You can step out the front door, grab a cab and be in the middle of the CBD or at the Sydney Opera House in five or 10 minutes.
You can walk or do a run to the Royal Botanic Gardens and there are so many cafés at your doorstep.
I love the trees in the suburb, particularly those that line Macleay Street. I also like all of the styles of architecture. It’s vibrant. It’s always had a buzzy, slightly European feel to it.
When I step out the door I can usually see six people I know. Some people might not like that but I do. I can’t imagine every being lonely in Potts Point.
You’ve been here for so long, how has the suburb changed?
It’s definitely become more desirable from a real estate point of view. There are a lot of empty nesters, who have left their larger houses behind to live here.
What are some of your favourite buildings in the suburb?
I love the Macleay Regis it’s a wonderful example of architecture from the Art Deco period. Gowrie Gate is nice. Byron Hall is nice. Kingsclere is pretty outstanding. There are some really nice buildings on Macleay Street and there are also pockets in Springfield Avenue that are quite unique. I also love Franconia.
I know that BKH have had a long history in the area, how did it start?
BKH started 50 years in the Yellow House building on Macleay Street and we are still in Potts Point today, although our office is on Challis Avenue.
I believe you’ve also had the chance to work in many of your favourite buildings with BKH?
We have done so much work here. We did the conversion of the Rex Hotel, we did the Post redevelopment, the fire upgrade in the Franconia Building, the Paramount Restaurant (now Cho Cho San).
We did Darley Street Thai and Box Cafe in Bayswater Road and we did Sailors Thai in Macleay Street (now Monopole).
We did the fit-out in Arida and have worked in multiple apartments on Macleay Street like the Dorchester and the Ikon as well as Kingsclere among many, many others.
It looks like you have worked in most buildings, what kind of project would you really love to do next?
I would love to do another restaurant. That would be fun. Restaurants are really exciting because they are slightly escapist. People don’t live in them so they can be slightly more theatrical and entertaining.
Speaking of restaurants, tell me about where your favourite place to get a meal is?
Cho Cho San, Fei Jai and Fratelli Paradiso, they are the ones that I go to the most.
If you’re looking to make Potts Point your home contact my team today.
