Cronulla Sharks Leagues Club
Seven years. A whole lot of anticipation. And one seriously impressive homecoming.
The Sharks are back. And they've brought a little Palm Springs with them.
Now officially open at Woolooware Bay, the new Cronulla Sharks Leagues Club is a fresh take on a local institution. One that knows exactly where it came from, but isn't afraid to do things a little differently.
Designed by Dacca Architecture, the brief looked back to the beginning of the Football and Leagues Club union in 1968, when the Sharks first took to the field. Think mid-century optimism, warm textures, confident geometry and a few playful nods to the era that started it all.
Then give it a distinctly Cronulla twist. Relaxed, sun-soaked and just a little indulgent.
With BetterTiles supplying all tiles throughout the club, we had the pleasure of contributing to a project where surface materiality does a lot of the talking.
Not your average leagues club.
Forget everything you think you know about the traditional club fit-out.
Across the venue, natural stone, mosaics, terrazzo-inspired surfaces, tactile ceramics and architectural profiles create a collection of spaces that each have their own personality, while still speaking the same design language.
At the entrance, Iconic Almond Crazy Pave sets the scene. Its irregular stone pieces bring an organic quality to the entry, foyer and outdoor terrace, introducing a little texture before you even make it inside.
Elsewhere, the Marble Cube Mosaic collection in Italian Grey, Nero Marquina and Bianco Carrara brings geometric detail to the Level 2 walls. A little optical intrigue, a little old-school glamour.
The hospitality spaces are where things really start to loosen up.
In the café and amenities, Portofino Clay introduces warmth, while charcoal and white unglazed mosaics create contrast against Glenorie Charcoal wall tiles. Over in the café and bistro, Lume Green Subway brings a hit of colour, balanced by the earthy character of Enzo Travertine across the walls.
There's also Suki Concave Rose Pink KitKat Tiles in the kitchen, because apparently we're not here to play it safe.
Across the gaming and alfresco areas, the material palette takes another turn. Carrara Flute Marble adds sculptural texture, while Nero Marquina Basket Weave with Carrara Dot Mosaic brings a more traditional marble pattern into the mix.
The Chairman's Lounge and gaming amenities feature Neo Grey Granite Concave Flute in a flamed finish, introducing a beautifully tactile surface with a more architectural edge.
And then there's The Deck.
With room for approximately 2,000 people and sweeping views across the stadium, Botany Bay and the Sydney skyline, The Deck is quite the centrepiece.
It's where game day meets long lunches, afternoon drinks turn into evening plans, and the line between a local club and a coastal destination gets a little blurry.
Naturally, the finishes had to keep up.
Smash Marble Mosaic in Bianco Carrara brings detail to the Deck walls, while its Crème Rose counterpart wraps the pizza oven in a warmer, more expressive finish. Bristol Rustic Red, with its brick-inspired character, adds another layer of texture to the Deck amenities.
The result is a space that feels relaxed without being ordinary, little nostalgic, a little unexpected, and very much at home in the Shire.
The Sharks have a new home. And it's looking pretty damn good.
For BetterTiles, it's been a pleasure to help bring this next chapter to life.
"We wanted the club to feel like the Shire: relaxed, sunny and proud of where it’s come from. The design draws on the Sharks’ early days at Endeavour Field and the optimism of the late ’50s 60’s with warm textures and playful touches throughout. And with The Deck looking out over the stadium, Botany Bay and the city, the views do a lot of the work for us.”
Tony Maluccio Head Architect - Dacca Architecture
