Located within Christchurch's Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1851 Social underwent a transformation from Café 1851 into an intimate, art deco-inspired speakeasy. Studio Sole was commissioned to develop a complete brand identity that reflected this evolution, creating a visual language that felt elegant, memorable and perfectly aligned with the venue's newly renovated interior.
The project extended beyond the logo itself, establishing a cohesive identity that could be carried across signage, print, marketing collateral and digital touchpoints.
The new identity draws inspiration from classic art deco design, balancing refined typography with geometric forms and a carefully curated colour palette that complements the venue's warm timber finishes and sophisticated atmosphere.
Rather than following hospitality trends, the focus was on creating a timeless identity that felt equally at home across menus, signage, promotional material and social media. Every element was designed to contribute to a cohesive brand experience while giving 1851 Social a distinctive presence within Christchurch's hospitality scene.
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A successful hospitality brand extends into every customer interaction. Alongside the identity system, Studio Sole designed a complete suite of supporting collateral, including venue signage and marketing templates that allowed the Crowne Plaza team to maintain consistency across future campaigns.
The result is a flexible brand system that works across both physical and digital environments, ensuring every touchpoint reinforces the same premium experience customers encounter when they visit the venue.
1851 Social now has a refined and recognisable identity that reflects its evolution into a contemporary speakeasy. By creating a complete brand system rather than simply a logo, the project provides a strong visual foundation that supports the venue across every customer touchpoint, ensuring the brand feels consistent, sophisticated and built to last.
