Quick Facts
- Location: Waterloo design district, Sydney, Australia.
- Total Area: 680 square metres.
- Key Design Elements: 4-metre tall palm tree, sculptural glass-brick staircase, custom travertine ping pong table.
- Brand Origin: Founded in 2017 as a "digitally native" Australian furniture brand.
- Trade Access: Includes a private, 'By Appointment' Designer Suite for industry professionals.
After eight years of quiet, steady growth, Ellison Studios has hit a massive milestone that feels less like a simple expansion and more like a homecoming. Since its inception in 2017, the brand has lived primarily in the digital realm and within the curated corners of our Instagram feeds. Now, that aesthetic has been given a permanent, physical heartbeat. Located in the heart of Sydney’s Waterloo design district, the new 680-square-metre Ellison Studios headquarters is a sprawling, multi-level testament to the brand's evolution from an online disruptor to a cornerstone of modern Australian design.
A Milestone in Waterloo: From Digital Native to Design Destination
The move to Waterloo isn't just about more floor space; it’s about establishing a physical presence in a neighborhood synonymous with architectural excellence. Spanning 680 square meters, this is the brand's largest physical expansion to date. For those who have followed the journey of founder Leigh McKeown, this space represents the culmination of an eight-year odyssey.
Where is the new Ellison Studios headquarters located? The new 680-square-metre Ellison Studios headquarters is located in the Waterloo design district of Sydney, Australia. It sits among some of the country's most prestigious showrooms, yet it manages to carve out a niche that is entirely its own—one that balances the high-end polish of a gallery with the lived-in warmth of a creative studio.
The scale of the building allowed the team to move beyond just displaying furniture. They’ve created an ecosystem. It’s a place where the logic of business meets the magic of creative exploration. As you move through the space, it becomes clear that this isn't just a shop; it's a window into the soul of the brand.
The Design Philosophy: Balancing Magic and Logic
To bring this ambitious vision to life, Leigh McKeown collaborated with creative director Joseph Gardner and designer William McRoberts, with the construction expertly handled by JForm. The guiding principle for the project was a duality McKeown refers to as "Magic and Logic."
- The Logic: This is the functional side of the business—the logistics, the vast warehouse-style ceilings, the organized trade suite, and the operational flow of a brand that ships globally.
- The Magic: This is the "Ellison" factor. It’s the unexpected curves, the lush greenery, the playful materials, and the way light interacts with the sculptural furniture.
This balance ensures that while the space is undeniably beautiful, it never feels precious or untouchable. It is a working headquarters where the friction between art and commerce generates something truly special.
Entrance and First Impressions: The 4-Metre Palm Tree
First impressions are everything in interior design, and Ellison Studios makes a statement before you even fully cross the threshold. The entrance is anchored by a focal point that is as organic as it is architectural: a four-metre-tall palm tree.
Integrating a tree of this scale into an indoor environment is a feat of both engineering and vision. The palm is housed within a custom-designed seating arrangement made of leather and steel, creating a circular "social hub" right at the front door. It’s a nod to the brand’s relaxed Australian roots—a piece of the outdoors brought inside to soften the industrial bones of the Waterloo warehouse.
The transition from a 'socially native' brand to a physical reality is felt most strongly here. You aren't just looking at a screen; you are sitting under a canopy, feeling the grain of the leather, and smelling the air of a space that breathes.
Playful Sophistication: The Travertine Ping Pong Table
If the palm tree represents the "Magic," then the custom ping pong table represents the "Playfulness" that defines the Ellison brand. Positioned in the social heart of the ground floor, this isn't your standard office game table.
Reimagined from the brand's iconic 'Earth' dining collection, the table features a solid oak frame and a massive travertine top. It’s a piece that demands to be taken seriously as furniture, yet invites the casual, competitive spirit of a game. It perfectly encapsulates the brand’s ethos: taking the design work seriously, but never taking themselves too seriously.
"We wanted a space that felt like a creative playground," says founder Leigh McKeown. "The ping pong table is a functional piece of art that encourages our team and visitors to interact with the brand in a way that isn't just transactional."
The Luminous Centrepiece: The Glass-Brick Staircase
As you move deeper into the 680sqm space, the real architectural showstopper reveals itself. Connecting the public-facing showroom to the private designer suites above is a sculptural glass-brick staircase.
What are the standout design features of the Ellison Studios Sydney HQ? Key features include a sculptural glass-brick staircase, a custom oak and travertine ping pong table, and a four-metre palm tree entrance. Created in collaboration with Brickworks, the staircase is a masterclass in materiality. The glass bricks offer a shifting translucency, catching the Sydney sun and diffusing it throughout the warehouse interior.
The material palette of the HQ is a sophisticated mix of industrial and tactile elements:
- Steel: Used for structural frames and custom seating.
- Oak: Providing warmth in the custom tables and joinery.
- Cork: Utilized for its acoustic properties and natural texture.
- Glass-Brick: The primary medium for the luminous staircase.
The Trade Experience: The ‘By Appointment’ Designer Suite
While the ground floor offers a welcoming atmosphere for fans of the brand, the upstairs level is where the "Logic" of the design industry takes center stage.
Does Ellison Studios have a space for trade professionals? Yes, the headquarters features an 'By Appointment' Designer Suite upstairs, specifically designed for trade clients to experience furniture scale and craftsmanship. This is a dedicated sanctuary for interior designers and architects to bring their clients, lay out floor plans, and touch the various fabrics and finishes in the Ellison library.
The suite is designed to showcase the furniture in a more intimate, residential-inspired setting. It allows professionals to truly understand the scale of the 'Muse' sofa or the texture of the 'Hugger' chair without the distractions of the main showroom floor.
Local Collaboration and Global Vision
What makes the Ellison Studios HQ feel uniquely Australian is its commitment to the local creative community. The space isn't just a monument to one brand; it’s a gallery of local excellence.
Throughout the headquarters, you’ll find lighting by the renowned Volker Haug and architectural hardware by Studio Henry Wilson. These collaborations ground the luxury narrative in professional craftsmanship and support the broader Australian design ecosystem.
| Partner | Contribution | Design Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Volker Haug | Decorative Lighting | Adds a sculptural, avant-garde glow to the showroom. |
| Studio Henry Wilson | Hardware & Accessories | Provides tactile, bronze details that elevate everyday touchpoints. |
| Brickworks | Glass-Brick Fabrication | The primary partner for the central luminous staircase. |
| JForm | Construction | Translated the "Magic and Logic" vision into a physical structure. |
This collaborative spirit reinforces Ellison Studios’ position not just as a furniture seller, but as a tastemaker and curator within the global design landscape.
Conclusion: The New Chapter for an Australian Icon
The opening of the Waterloo HQ marks a turning point for Ellison Studios. It is a physical manifestation of a brand that has grown up—moving from the experimental phase of a startup to the established presence of a design powerhouse.
By creating a space that honors both the "Magic" of the creative process and the "Logic" of the design trade, Ellison Studios has created more than just a showroom. They have created a destination that inspires, educates, and invites us all to live a little more beautifully. Whether you're there to test out the scale of a new lounge in the Designer Suite or simply to marvel at the glass-brick staircase, the new HQ is a must-visit for anyone passionate about the future of Australian interiors.
FAQ
Can the public visit the Ellison Studios Sydney HQ? Yes, the ground floor showroom is open to the public during business hours, allowing visitors to experience the furniture and the architectural features like the glass-brick staircase and the palm tree entrance.
How do I book a session in the Designer Suite? The upstairs Designer Suite is available 'By Appointment' only. Trade professionals (architects and interior designers) can book a session through the Ellison Studios website or by contacting their trade representative directly.
Are all Ellison Studios products on display at the Waterloo location? The HQ features a comprehensive selection of the brand's core collections and new releases, including the 'Earth', 'Muse', and 'Hugger' lines. However, for specific fabric swatches or rarer pieces, it is always best to call ahead.
