AFTER more than 12 months of anticipation, speculation and plenty of perspiration, Warwick's most talked about development is complete.

The Malt House has opened its doors, to the delight of residents who have long been awaiting its mouth-watering arrival.

Concept and interior designers Dallas Ryder and Bede Hampton of Ryder Hampton have spent the past year working closely with a local owner to develop a restaurant and bar unlike any other in Warwick.

"There have been no major licensed venues built from scratch in Warwick for a long time," Mr Hampton said.

"In fact, it's been the opposite, with a lot of the old pubs around the area disappearing.

"The Malt House will fill a gap in the market and we're really proud of what the team has produced here, but its success will come from the people of Warwick."

Ms Ryder said the couple worked alongside the owner to create a venue in Warwick equivalent to any you would find in the capital cities.

"The concept came first," she said.

"We have worked with the owner before and we work well together.

"Once we jelled on the concept, which was based on Warwick's original malt house, everything else fell into place.

"We discovered that piece of local history and that was the stimulus for the concept and the design."

Mr Hampton said the look of The Malt House echoed that of the historic malt house.

"We took hints of the elements of that old building and that's what you'll see here," he said.

"The interior of the venue was crafted as opposed to being architecturally designed.

"So it has a very warm feel, with all the fixtures, many of them recycled, having their place to suit the look.

"And even though that look is one of the past, the systems and components that make the place run are the absolute latest in technology."

Ms Ryder said the process of making it all come together had been smooth.

"Wherever we could, we used local tradespeople and suppliers, so that it was very a much a Warwick project," she said.

"We started with the concept and the creative touches, then we pulled together a team of engineers, surveyors, consultants, architects, hydraulic engineers and builders to make that concept come to life."

Mr Hampton said the major turning point was the removal of the existing air-conditioning unit.

"It was far too big for the building, it had to go," he said.

"So I got up on the roof to supervise its removal and was stunned at the space up there.

"I got down and told the owner, 'You've a whole new bar up here' and he went straight up for a look.

"He told us to go for it - and we did, turning a 120-seat restaurant into a 300-seat venue."

Mr Hampton said this required a whole new development application.

"Before we were just building within an existing structure, but this was another story," he said.

"The council were really supportive and helpful and they were excited about what we had planned as well.

"The rooftop bar is a perfect extension of the downstairs facility.

"It also creates a new social venue in town, open and licensed from 11am to 9pm and midnight on weekends."

Mr Hampton said the team had created something unique for Warwick.

"We all worked very hard on it," he said.

"It's a blend of fresh country and the city and comparable to anything elsewhere.

"We've carefully designed everything from the interior to the crockery and the uniforms.

"Even the menu has been crafted to suit the people who will be dining here, from kids to parents and the weekend crowds."

The venue is open seven days from 11am and bookings can be made on 46671865.