Christchurch has seen plenty of new restaurants come and go. Marlowe was never going to be one of them.
When head-chef Olly Le Maitre and front-of-house extraordinaire Santiago Burgos set out to open their own restaurant at 211 High St, they had a bigger ambition than a successful opening night. They wanted to build a beloved institution. A place that would one day feel like it had always been part of the city.
That ambition deserved a brand with the same staying power. Our job was to give Marlowe an identity that could carry it from first whisper to institution, amplifying the presence and the experiences that would make Christchurch sit up and take notice before a single plate was served.
More authenticity
Marlowe's story began long before the site was secured. Santi was 19 when he moved to New Zealand; back in 2016, washing dishes at Francesca's Italian Kitchen, he was already filling a notebook with ideas for the restaurant he'd one day open. Olly brought 18 years of cooking and a love of letting exceptional produce speak for itself. Marlowe is the sum of their history, dreams and love for what they do.
The brand had to honour that. We crafted an identity that is restrained and sophisticated, yet completely unpretentious. Two complementary logo styles that work together to express the restaurant's personality, allowing the brand to feel both refined and relaxed.
More consistency
The Marlowe team hold every service, every table, every interaction to the same standard. Santi once flew to Sydney to stand in a supplier's warehouse holding cutlery, testing the weight of each piece in his hand because, as Santi puts it, "when everything feels right together, it becomes part of the experience without needing to shout about it."
We brought that same obsession to every brand touchpoint. From the standout visual impact of the website and site signage, to the deceptive simplicity of the menu and apparel design, each expression of the brand plays its part in a refined, cohesive experience. The details you notice, and the ones you don't - all work together, quietly building the feeling that Marlowe has been here all along.
More recognition
Marlowe was making an impression before its doors even opened. Our launch strategy built a distinctive presence that turned anticipation into momentum - and delivered an opening that surpassed every expectation.
Marlowe was never intended to be simply another new restaurant, and the brand honours that intention. At every touchpoint, Marlowe's brand is as elevated and memorable as the experience the restaurant provides.
Marlowe is the place. If you haven’t already, go and see the team at 211 High Street.
