Case Study:
Glory Days Café – Bondi Pavilion
Sector
Hospitality / Café Fit-out
Client
The Good Atelier Hospitality Group
Scope
Full café fit-out including structural works, services, kitchen, bespoke joinery, finishes and custom furniture
Completion
6.5 weeks
Location
Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach, NSW
Project Overview
SCI Group was engaged to deliver the premium fit-out of Glory Days Café,
located within the refurbished and heritage-listed Bondi Pavilion. Conceived during lockdown as the answer to the European holidays Australians couldn’t take at the time, the café was designed by COX Architects to evoke a mix of Euro summer vibes and Californian Venice Beach flair. The 333m2 venue features indoor seating for 30 and outdoor capacity for 120, taking full advantage of its east-facing position and sweeping Bondi Beach views.
The design called for a breezy, summer-inspired atmosphere brought to life
through earthy and tactile materials such as terracotta, natural wood and rustic
ceramic tiles. SCI Group was tasked with transforming this vision into reality under immense time pressure, ensuring the venue was completed before Christmas to capture the peak summer trade.
Design & Fit-out
SCI Group received the site as a warm shell and carried out extensive alterations
to prepare it for fit-out.
Works included:
- Ceiling removal, installation of structural steel and new mechanical systems for rangehoods.
- Fire services reconfigured and extended to meet Australian Standards for hospitality.
- In-ground services redesigned and slab reinstated to accommodate plumbing and design requirements.
- New walls, bulkheads and ceiling framing constructed, followed by sheeting and finishing.
- Installation of all services, commercial-grade stainless steel kitchen, joinery framing, counters, benches and banquet seating.
Challenges & Solutions
The primary challenge was the compressed timeline, with the overall Bondi
Pavilion redevelopment running behind schedule. SCI Group responded with peak manpower — more than 450 hours per week — and delivered the complex fit-out in just over 6 weeks.
Another challenge lay in the imported handmade French tiles, which varied in
size by up to 10mm. To achieve the rustic yet consistent design effect, SCI Group meticulously ground the tiles and embraced imperfect grout lines to deliver the desired aesthetic. Heritage BCA access and certification also presented hurdles, which were resolved through close collaboration between builder, architect and client.
Innovation
Innovations included the detailed ceiling installation, the precision and creativity
required to accommodate irregular handmade tiles, and the use of custom-built
furniture that complemented the relaxed coastal aesthetic. Attention to detail
across all trades ensured the café’s bold design vision was achieved without
compromise.
Impact
Glory Days Café has quickly become an iconic Bondi Pavilion venue, offering
locals and visitors a destination where “every day is a vacay.” Completed under immense time pressure and design complexity, the project is a testament to SCI Group’s ability to balance creativity, craftsmanship and program certainty in high-profile heritage locations.