Alexander &CO. crafts two evocative podium venues – LiTO and Haven – that weave Burleigh’s local soul with Mondrian’s global sophistication.
Australia’s first Mondrian luxury lifestyle hotel rises at Burleigh Beach, Queensland, bringing the globally renowned brand to one of the world’s most iconic surf destinations.
Working with Vitale Property Group and Mondrian Gold Coast, Alexander &CO. (A&CO.) developed the creative brief and brand pillars for the hotel’s arrival sequence and its two podium venues: LiTO, a ground-floor Italian restaurant and lobby bar, and Haven, a third-floor seafood restaurant and Pool Club. Together, they anchor the guest experience and articulate the brand’s vision through architecture and design.
Setting the Stage
Positioned along the tree-lined Esplanade and facing the Pacific, the Mondrian Gold Coast spans 24 floors of studios, suites, private Beach and Sky Houses, a bio-wellness spa, and event spaces. With architecture by Fraser & Partners and interiors by Studio Carter, A&CO.’s hospitality story celebrates the abundant lifestyle of Burleigh – fresh food, sunshine, and the sublime ocean – while conjuring an aspirational nostalgia for a Burleigh that never quite existed.
Design Vision
At the heart of the concept lies contrast: the entrepreneurial local spirit of Vitale Property Group meets Mondrian’s global sophistication and Ennismore’s eclectic hospitality ethos. For A&CO., the challenge was to capture Burleigh’s unique position between the polished glamour of the Gold Coast and the bohemian energy of Byron Bay. The design response needed to embody both – a venue rooted in surfing, sunshine, and laid-back lifestyle, yet equally appealing as an international luxury destination.
As A&CO. Principal Jeremy Bull explains: “The venue feels reminiscent of its European food story, and also its historic role as an indigenous meeting place. It’s like some ancient ruin, monolithic, worn back, and sun-bleached. Our narrative aimed to feel like walking through an ancient oceanside salon, full of artefacts of something long forgotten.”
LiTO : A Salon by the Sea
LiTO, the ground-floor restaurant and lobby bar, establishes the first impression for guests arriving at the hotel. Defined by soaring architecture, dendriform columns, Venetian plaster, and aged terrazzo, the space balances theatre and intimacy.
A central open kitchen, long bar, and cafe corner animate the venue throughout the day – from morning coffee runs to evening dining. The design reconciles multiple flows: street-side patrons seeking grab-and-go, community diners, and hotel guests arriving at reception.
Rich materiality grounds the lofty architecture. Custom walnut and leather furniture in burgundy, rust, and sage create warmth, while directional lighting transitions the space from sunlit mornings to atmospheric evenings. Signature elements such as the 10-metre “concrete curtain” lobby bar and the bespoke “Any Way You Want” brick wall (developed with Natural Brick Company and UTS Robotics Lab) layer craftsmanship into the experience.
Haven: A Coastal Daydream
Perched on the third floor, Haven is a seafood restaurant, bar, and Pool Club overlooking Burleigh’s pines and golden sands. Designed as a coastal ruin reimagined, the interiors use monolithic concrete forms, patterned stone flooring, and oversized tiles to define distinct zones.
A pre-cast concrete bar with mirrored surfaces reflects the pool deck, while the dining area combines timber, patterned tiles, and a seafood counter for a lively, communal feel. Custom brass and cream lighting by Transmitt animates the stone-heavy interiors, while timber furniture with leather accents evokes understated luxury.
The Pool Club extends the venue outdoors, with a 25-metre pool, sunbeds, hot tubs, and rentable cabanas offering both energy and exclusivity. Together, the restaurant and Pool Club capture Burleigh’s dual spirit – vibrant and laid-back, local and international.
A Dialogue Between Past and Present
Through LiTO and Haven, Alexander &CO. has crafted venues that are both rooted in Burleigh’s coastal identity and elevated to global standards of hospitality. The design marries natural materiality and European nostalgia with contemporary luxury, offering an experience that feels timeless yet distinctly of its place.
Photo Courtesy: Alicia Taylor | Justin Nicholas (pool deck image)
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