InterContinental Sydney

The Brief

Our client’s problem that needed solving.

InterContinental Sydney is one of the city’s most recognisable heritage hotels, set within a landmark building that blends historic architecture with contemporary luxury. The brief was to elevate and refine the existing planting scheme, so it aligned seamlessly with the hotel’s global five-star standards while respecting its architectural legacy. The greenery must enhance, not compete with, the heritage structure, reinforcing sophistication, scale, and restraint.

The scope extended beyond a single space. From the grand entrance and lobby to Level 1, the rooftop bar and pool on Level 31, premium suites, and street-facing areas, the planting had to feel cohesive across multiple environments. The objective was to create a unified botanical language throughout the hotel, strengthening atmosphere, improving visual consistency, and ensuring every guest touchpoint reflected the elevated brand experience expected of InterContinental Sydney.

Design and Installation

Our Solution.

Our approach focused on refining the hotel’s existing botanical framework with a more architectural, layered planting strategy. Kentia palms were used extensively to introduce vertical elegance and softness against the building’s strong structural lines, while Philodendron and complementary species provided depth and continuity throughout interior spaces. Larger specimens were positioned to anchor key areas such as entrances, lobby zones, and dining spaces, ensuring presence without overwhelming the heritage architecture.

Across outdoor and semi-exposed areas, including the main entrance and rooftop environments, planting was selected to withstand Sydney’s coastal conditions while maintaining a refined aesthetic. The scheme was carefully scaled to suit each environment, from intimate bar settings to expansive public areas. The result is a cohesive, luxury-led planting upgrade that strengthens the hotel’s identity while respecting its architectural heritage.

Above and Beyond.

Delivering this project required precision coordination across a live, high-profile hospitality environment. The planting upgrade extended from street frontage and grand entrance zones through to upper levels, including the rooftop bar, pool, and premium suites. Each area demanded careful scheduling and discreet execution to ensure guests experienced no disruption while standards of presentation remained uncompromised throughout the process.

Beyond installation, the refinement of the existing scheme required thoughtful assessment of what to retain, what to enhance, and where to introduce stronger architectural presence. By recalibrating plant scale, density, and placement, we elevated the overall composition without losing the hotel’s established character. This balance between preservation and enhancement is what allowed the final result to feel seamless, as though it had always belonged within the space.

Thinking outside the box.

Creativity in this project came from working within the framework of an established, heritage property and finding opportunities to elevate it without disrupting its character. Rather than introducing dramatic change, we refined scale, layering, and plant composition to create stronger visual rhythm across multiple levels. Kentia palms were used not just as greenery, but as architectural elements, reinforcing vertical lines and adding elegance without overpowering the interiors.

We also approached the hotel as a connected ecosystem rather than a series of isolated spaces. From street frontage and entrance areas to rooftop bar and pool environments, the planting was curated to feel consistent yet responsive to each micro-environment. This ensured the guest experience remained cohesive throughout the building, with greenery acting as a subtle but powerful thread linking heritage architecture with contemporary luxury.

Customisation.

The planting scheme at InterContinental Sydney was tailored to suit the scale, heritage character, and operational demands of each distinct area. From grand entrance zones to rooftop settings and premium suites, plant selection and placement were customised to ensure proportion, balance, and visual continuity. Larger Kentia palms and Strelitzia were positioned to provide structure and presence in expansive spaces, while more compact Philodendron, Calathea, and feature plants added texture and refinement in intimate settings.

Existing hotel-owned planters were thoughtfully integrated into the upgraded design, ensuring continuity with the hotel’s established aesthetic. In areas such as the pool and suites, where Green Design supplied select pieces, the planting was curated to enhance privacy, luxury, and atmosphere without overwhelming the architecture. The result is a scheme that feels bespoke to InterContinental Sydney, not generic or transferable.

Maintenance.

Maintaining the elevated standard of a five-star hotel requires consistency, discretion, and attention to detail. The maintenance program for InterContinental Sydney was structured to ensure every plant remains pristine, balanced, and aligned with the hotel’s luxury presentation. Servicing is carried out with minimal disruption to guests and operations, maintaining the seamless atmosphere expected in a global hospitality setting.

Each zone, from entrance and lobby areas to rooftop bar, pool, suites, and restaurant spaces, is monitored according to its unique environmental conditions. Plant health, grooming, and presentation are proactively managed to preserve architectural form and visual clarity. This disciplined approach, incorporating our sub-irrigation systems, ensures the planting continues to reflect refinement, vitality, and brand alignment year-round with less interruption or plant changes required.

Keeping Everyone Safe.

Safety was integrated into every stage of the upgrade and ongoing maintenance. Plant placement was carefully assessed to ensure clear guest circulation through entrances, lobby areas, and high-traffic hospitality zones. Larger specimens were positioned and secured with stability in mind, particularly in outdoor and rooftop environments where exposure to wind and weather required additional consideration.

Installation and servicing were conducted under strict manual handling and access protocols, with careful coordination across lifts, public areas, and upper-level spaces. The objective was simple: maintain a refined, uninterrupted guest experience while upholding the highest safety standards for hotel staff, guests, and the Green Design team.