PROJECT MISE EN PLACE
The Commons promised its most premium workspace with the opening of the brand’s 15th location, 39 Martin Place.
Located in Sydney’s financial district and sharing a building with the ASX, The Commons went outside the box to create a space that not only benefitted members but also the broader community.
That included a new hospitality venture beyond their usual cafe offering, opening a cocktail bar for members and neighbours to socialise, connect and celebrate the end of the workday.
This bar is no afterthought or simple tack-on. It’s a thoughtfully designed space, led by experienced hospitality staff, with seats up at the long bar and plenty of lounges for something a little more relaxed, and a menu of small plates to line the stomach between cocktails.
The Commons created a bar that stands on its own, connected but not exclusive to the members’ workspace. To emphasise the type of service to expect here, they had custom jackets made for front-of-house.
When people feel good in their environment, they’re more likely to stick around. This bar isn’t just a room inside a co-working space; it’s genuinely inviting to sit in for a drink among colleagues. The jackets tell guests that they’ll get as good a service as anywhere else in the city.
- Huw Bennett, Worktones Director
PROCESS NOTES
The original idea for the bar uniforms was to do an apron, which the cafe staff were already wearing. The Commons’ National Food and Beverage Manager, Conrad Cheng, came into the Worktones’
showroom and instead gravitated towards our Unstructured Blazer. He left with a few samples and we began discussions on colour, fabric and embroidery to piece together a bespoke jacket modelled off our blazer.
We’ve been working together for a number of years now, so there’s a good history there. They know us and we know them, which made this collaboration feel very natural.
- Huw Bennett, Worktones Director
From the brief we were given, it became clear that an apron wasn't going to cut it. They wanted something more polished, a key piece that would take ownership of the space. Martin Place is prime real estate in Australia, and a blazer ties into that well.
ORDER UP
The Commons ended up with a blazer in a custom fabric and colourway. The button detail was adjusted from three to four for a sharper, more tailored silhouette. Their newly refreshed logo was embroidered on
the chest which added an olive-grey pop against the crisp natural colour. “The Commons” wordmark is embroidered around the sleeve cuff, offering a thoughtful, tactile touchpoint that ties it all together.
Huw said that the client came in with a strong idea of what they wanted, but was accomodating to our ideas and expertise.
We met halfway, shook hands and landed with something that looks good and works really well in the space. There was mutual passion there, and it’s rewarding to work with a client who goes as far as to wear the samples themselves to attest to the quality and design.
- Huw Bennett, Worktones Director
THE REVIEW
A true testament to great product — I have been a longtime fan of Worktones, with their pieces becoming staples in my own wardrobe. So when it came time to choose a uniform that would stand out, complement our beautifully designed spaces, and reflect our offering, there was only one clear choice.
- Conrad Cheng, The Commons’ National Food and Beverage Manager
The Worktones team made the entire process seamless, with clear, fast, and efficient communication from start to finish. By combining their expertise with our strong brand identity, we created a beautiful custom jacket that not only complements our space but also delivers on comfort and durability.
