There are also new blue handmade tiles at the base of these apertures, evocative -particularly in their dimensions – of the standard glazed yellow tiles that were once typical of many other pubs built during this time.

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“Tiles were an important feature of this, both in how they appeared on the exterior of buildings as well as how they were expressed inside,” says Harvey.

From the moment one walks into the main bar area, the use of tiles is impressive.

While there appears to be a mélange of new and old finishes combined, in reality nearly every appointment is new – from the terrazzo-patten floors with their Art Deco motif to the glossy patchwork tiled walls in sumptuous toffee and brown hues.

Like some curvaceous tiles, the brush box timber bar appears original, but in reality, it is entirely new, as is the ‘floating’ ceiling above with its round ‘oyster’ lights.

Evocative of the period are waffle ceiling panels – here to absorb sound from the terrazzo floors.

And in a portion of the seating area, customised carpet in an Art Deco motif is embedded in the terrazzo floors.

Given the need to accommodate up to 150 people, Richards Stanisich included ledges along the windows as well as bar tables and stools, together with leather-banquette niches set into curved timber wall nooks for a little more privacy.

The same level of detail can be seen in the bathrooms, all entirely new with porthole windows, terrazzo vanities and tiled walls that literally ‘melt’ into the floors with the greatest of ease.

“These curved edges reflect the process of washing down walls in the 1930s, making the task that much easier,” says Stanisich.

The wall sconces framing the bathroom mirrors are as innovative - simply tiles that have been backlit.

For Stanisich, Harvey and their team, there was always the risk of making this project a pastiche, mimicking rather than evoking the past.

“It was about looking at the ‘spirit’ of the original place and providing a contemporary response,” says Stanisich, who saw the use of tiles, both in type and their placement, as being pivotal to this process.

“The handmade, rather than the machine made/mass-produced tends to date things.

But when you’re focused on the handmade, there’s a sense of timelessness,” she adds.

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