Quest Penrith is the latest hotel development to be completed by DKO and the newest addition to the Quest portfolio. Located in Thornton Central, NSW at the gateway to the Blue Mountains, DKO designed the development to a 3.5-star budget while creating a 4.5‑star experience. Comprising 115 keys over eight levels, we sought to imbue a unique user experience by referencing location, community and sense of place while remaining faithful to the Quest brand.

The design references the adjacent 1880s Penrith Rail Station; the curved tracks and heritage features providing inspiration for the hero curve of the building while the raw material palette of sandy brick, off-form concrete and blackened steel is a subtle nod to Penrith’s industrial past, creating a modern iconic entrance to the Thornton Central precinct.

Internally, connection to place is continued with guests greeted by a striking terrazzo reception desk referencing the area’s rugged landscape and gritty history. Similarly, a material and colour palette inspired by the Blue Mountains is carried through to the individual apartments with soft furnishings in greys and blues, offset by textured timbers and steel feature lamps.

As a further reference to the nearby mountain ranges, striking landscape photography is featured throughout the hotel, completing the composed interior scheme and reminding visitors of their surrounds.