AFL legends kick goals with a stellar reno

16/05/2019

Caesarstone

Co-owners, AFL legend, turned hotelier Mark Ricciuto, together with Adelaide Crows stars, Taylor Walker, Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield, and Peter Hurley of The Hurley Hotel Group, employ a collaborative approach to designing the new look Alma Tavern.

_____________________

The 150-year old Alma Tavern in Norwood is not only their pride and joy but for the most part, it’s become a second home and an ongoing quest to turn it into a thriving community landmark for the sought-after Eastern Suburbs of Adelaide.

“The Alma encapsulates our passion for hospitality, beer and talking to the locals.”
Taylor Walker

“The Alma keeps evolving. In 2006, we bought the land next door and added a beer garden. For the latest reno, we added a new fireplace, comfy seating and superb Caesarstone^® bar tops and tables. The beer garden now has a roof, so it’s useable 365 days of the year with Adelaide’s best and biggest outdoor fire. The Alma is going to be lovely and warm in the winter and great in the summer”, explains Mark.

Incorporating three colours from Caesarstone’s metropolitan collection the Alma has a distinct industrial flavour with the eye-catching yet durable Caesarstone^® Excava, Airy Concrete and Rugged Concrete flowing throughout the various spaces.

“The new Caesarstone^® bar top is outstanding” explains Taylor, “we have a dark mirror splashback and low-level seating in the bar area. It’s a lot more comfortable than the previous high-level seating. Much more welcoming to everyone. The renovation has encouraged us to make better use of the space”.

“My favourite part of the reno has to be the Caesarstone^® – the Excava bar top; it’s mesmerising. I love the feel and texture of the surface.”
Rory Sloane

When creating the overall style for the Alma, the team’s most significant consideration was meeting the needs of their clientele and determining what people want from a local tavern – welcoming atmosphere, family-friendly, safe as well as the all-important great food and drink.

“We have all contributed to the design, us, our wives, the general manager – Simon Hywood, and our talented interior designer Fleur who advised on décor and colour. Overall, it’s a great result that has the locals fascinated” reveals Mark.

“Aside from the industrial beauty of the Caesarstone^® Excava, it’s created a real talking point for visitors and us”
Simon Hywood, General Manager, The Alma

Offering an array of function spaces for all manner of events, the Alma has an exciting new menu catering for all, big screens for live sport as well as access to TAB. With everything from family nights, metro retro on a Saturday night to the Alma’s got talent for budding local musicians; the Alma has become so much more than just a pub.