Wimbledon - Suite Design

The All England Tennis Club's 2020 Master Plan at Wimbledon meant that Hertz had the opportunity in 2018 of moving their hospitality suite to a new and improved location on No. 1 Court.  

Hertz awarded Carocom the brief to design the suite entirely from scratch; we have had the privilege of managing the Championships event Hertz at Wimbledon since 2009 and so have unique insights into the design needs of the space and the people who use it.

The demands on the space are testing: the area - which is just shy of 100 square metres - needs to provide space for entertaining, serving and hosting up to 50 guests - but also requiring the flexibility of sometimes only 25 - both inside and outside on the balcony.  It must represent the Hertz brand and be inclusive and sophisticated by design.  Of course we were delighted to take on the challenge of this free-ranging brief.

We tell the brand's story using discreet, visual cues and so designed an entirely unique wallpaper (fast becoming a Carocom signature) which marries the Hertz President's French/Moroccan heritage with the brand's palette and of naturally, tennis.  We curated a collection of mementos which evoke travel and treated photography from the Wimbledon archives to the current Hertz photography style. 

Bespoke furniture, from the five metre long, leather banquette seat, to completely unique tables with elegant hairpin legs and the glamorous bar were all custom built to our design by our brilliant build partners.  Tom Dixon lighting, some vintage finds, floating voile drapes and on-trend rattan furniture accompanied crisp linen table-dressing to complete the look.   

Judging by the feedback we have received, our clients and their guests are clearly thrilled with the newly designed suite.  On seeing the completed design for the first time, our direct client cried tears of joy which we felt was a powerful endorsement of fulfilling the brief. The suite has been showcased by the Club to sponsors, clients (and the occasional tennis player!) as an exemplar of what design opportunities can be achieved in such as space. 

Hertz's centenary, Carocom's 10th birthday a beautiful new suite and an entirely rain-free Championships has definitely made Wimbledon 2018 a year to remember! We're already looking forward to the completion of No. 1 Court's next year, when we can further finesse our design for Hertz.