McCARROLL’S Automotive Group has unveiled a stunning sequel to its Lexus service and repair centre in Sydney with an architect-designed two-storey showroom built from the ground up in Chatswood.

According to the dealer group, Lexus of Chatswood was aimed to give customers on Sydney’s North Shore a Japanese-inspired purchasing and ownership experience.

It covers 1800 square metres and reflects the Lexus hospitality art of “omotenashi”, centred around luxury and space highlighted by an interior of glass and American oak.

Features include a Japanese-print wallpaper screen, ground floor lounge and two private customer vehicle delivery lounges alongside a showroom that holds up to 30 Lexus vehicles.

Upstairs, framed by expansive windows, is a large 12-seat bar finished in Smeraldo green stone with hand-shaped brass fittings. A La Marzocco coffee Modbar and two teppanyaki plates create a unique dining space for customers.

The adjacent lounge features earth tones with timber lattice walls inspired by traditional Japanese shoji screens, offering customers an inviting space to relax in comfort.

The showroom has a Japanese garden designed by Hortus Designs in conjunction with Ken Lamb from Imperial Gardens, with a 30-year-old bonsai Japanese black pine as its focus.

McCaroll’s said the aesthetics of the showroom and its hospitality spaces are complemented by state-of-the-art technology.

In readiness for the launch of the first Lexus EV, the UX300e, in November, the showroom has an 86kW solar system that will provide renewable electricity for vehicle charging – with twin 7.0-inch touch-display AC charging units installed in the delivery bays – and powering the building.

The showroom was designed by Centric Architects with an interior styled by Nici McCarroll, the wife of group managing director Simon. It was built by Reitsma Constructions and took nine months to complete.

Lexus of Chatswood dealer principal Simon McCarroll said that while the Japanese philosophy of Lexus was at the centre of the design, “we also knew we had to create a space that would perfectly fit our Sydney clients, delivering technology, convenience and luxury that will stand the test of time.”

“At its core is the Japanese spirit of ‘omotenashi’ hospitality, including the stunning 12-seat bar – but that philosophy takes on new meaning in this modern, technologically advanced space. The result is simple: a space Lexus owners and fans will want to be in.”

Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson said the new showroom was “the ultimate example of the Lexus commitment to pushing boundaries in luxury experience”.

“The new Lexus of Chatswood embodies our next-generation of customer care as we constantly strive to reset the standard in luxury experience,” he said.

“This will gel with next-generation products that will pursue leading style, performance and technology – products that will feel perfectly at home in the new Lexus of Chatswood.”

The new Lexus of Chatswood showroom is at 932 Pacific Highway Chatswood in Sydney with service facilities nearby at 6 Barcoo Street, Roseville.

By Neil Dowling