About Us
"When building commercially we like to keep our architecture in the tradition of the Southern highlands - old, solid and beautiful." - Ex-AFL Sydney Swans player, Craig Elias
Craig Elias, together with his wife, Tara, and their business partner, Sam Criniti, bought the building that comprises the corner of Bong Bong and Banyette Street in 2013. Where everyone else saw an ugly government building that was hard to lease, they saw good "bones" and the potential for something extraordinary. Despite an established track record of renovating to a very high standard and revitalising entire areas in the process, the town was skeptical of their ability to do it. It was going to take a lot to pull off a miracle at the dead end of Bowral.
Since Dirty Janes consignment market, owned by Jane and Bob Crowley, was already trading on the premises, a deal was struck that they would buy two sheds in the back for their stall holders and the Eliases and Criniti would purchase the main building in front and the remaining back sheds for The Acre.
With a clear vision of the potential and purpose of the building, Craig and Tara embarked on a 6-month odyssey with their long time architect and friend John Webb to design every detail needed to enliven and elevate what was an ugly government building, in preparation for a bright new future.
The renovations were extensive and included bringing the building's facade out 3m in all directions to increase the overall footprint. This necessitated excavation of an entirely new floor to bring it down 6ft so that the shops would be in line with the footpath. This alone was a mammoth undertaking but it was worth it for the effect it had on the interior - making it look and feel twice the previous size.
Craig Elias, together with his wife, Tara, and their business partner, Sam Criniti, bought the building that comprises the corner of Bong Bong and Banyette Street in 2013. Where everyone else saw an ugly government building that was hard to lease, they saw good "bones" and the potential for something extraordinary. Despite an established track record of renovating to a very high standard and revitalising entire areas in the process, the town was skeptical of their ability to do it. It was going to take a lot to pull off a miracle at the dead end of Bowral.
Since Dirty Janes consignment market, owned by Jane and Bob Crowley, was already trading on the premises, a deal was struck that they would buy two sheds in the back for their stall holders and the Eliases and Criniti would purchase the main building in front and the remaining back sheds for The Acre.
With a clear vision of the potential and purpose of the building, Craig and Tara embarked on a 6-month odyssey with their long time architect and friend John Webb to design every detail needed to enliven and elevate what was an ugly government building, in preparation for a bright new future.
The renovations were extensive and included bringing the building's facade out 3m in all directions to increase the overall footprint. This necessitated excavation of an entirely new floor to bring it down 6ft so that the shops would be in line with the footpath. This alone was a mammoth undertaking but it was worth it for the effect it had on the interior - making it look and feel twice the previous size.
The story of the doorThe curved corner door of the building, entrance to the cafe, is an often photographed feature.
Craig and Tara had seen a similar entryway in Melbourne, and were determined to create this for The Acre, in spite of what seemed at times to be insurmountable odds. They knew that the corner needed to be special if it was to attract foot traffic from the northern end of Bowral, but the craftsmanship and cost required meant there was only one company that could pull it off - Evalock Windows and Doors, owned and run by the late Gary Evans and his wife Andrea. Together with their son, Will, Evalock joined the Eliases on the project, inspired by the audacity and the creative and engineering challenge of building not only this uniquely grand door but also every other door and window in The Acre. "Take a walk down Green Lane and have a look at the arched windows in Harry's restaurant" When they were told that the elaborate curved entryway surround had been a huge challenge and would look impressive enough framing a flat door painted with the soft and welcoming eggshell blue that Tara had chosen, she fought hard for the original vision which included not only a curved door but its rare inset of curved glass. 
|
|
Photos above by Terry Muller
FUN FACT: The Acre is currently the #1 most sought after location for commercial leasing in the Southern Highlands.
|
|
