Upstairs at The 1878 is an exclusive new private member’s club set within the iconic 3Arena, Dublin. Commissioned by Live Nation Ireland, Ellis Design Studio has designed a luxurious reimagining of the dramatic 4th floor space within the landmark 13,000 seat-Arena, which is among the top ten busiest music arenas by ticket sales in the world. This private members club is designed for music lovers and industry insiders, offering an unparalleled pre-and post-concert experience.
The interior design provides the perfect precursor to the drama and excitement of the arena experience, paying homage to the pioneers of Modernism and mid-century Irish abstract art. The design for the space is a celebration of two trailblazing Irish women at the forefront of these creative fields, contemporary artist Mainie Jellett (1878-1976) and designer Eileen Gray (1879-1944).
The design for the venue blends the refined mid-century elegance of Gray’s lacquered, iridescent aesthetic and the pioneering abstract expressionist spirit of Jellett, one of Ireland’s first and foremost cubist artists.
“The design for the interior seeks to capture a tension between the lustrous, modernist designs of Eileen Gray and the cubist, geometric aesthetic found in Jellett’s work. Fusing Gray’s early experiments with decorative screens, lacquerwork and glasswork with Jellett’s predilection for bold colour and expressive forms”.
From the moment guests step inside, members are immersed in a world of tactile luxury, characterized by rich textures, vibrant colours and exquisite details. Design details have been carefully considered to weave a clear narrative thread throughout the space.
The venue features a bold mix of mid-century-inspired furniture & finishes and a spectacular Modernist-inspired feature back bar with illuminated rose tinted mirror & reeded glass, fluted timbers and antique brass detailing. Custom designed bar-top lighting and a vibrant lacquer-inspired coral-hued bar top create a dramatic focal point within the space.
The cubist work of Jellett inspired the expressive design of the carpet, whilst references to the work of Gray are found in the dramatic polychromatic screen details celebrating her most famous & opulent lacquer creations. The ribbed curvilinear form of the banquette seating is inspired by Gray’s iconic Bibendum armchair.
A refined yet vibrant palette, plush velvets, patterned fabrics and dramatic translucent screens all add to a sense of theatricality, reflectivity & lustre, creating a venue which is quietly decadent and wilfully glamorous.
Team:
Architects: Ellis Design Studio
Photographer: Barry Murphy