Byron Bay’s Two Newest Luxury Stays: Explore Bunker Escapes by Futureflip

Designing, building, and styling a luxurious home that welcomes visitors from around the world is a uniquely rewarding endeavour. This is something Neil Hipwell, Director of Futureflip, and his wife Krystal, Director of Bunker Escapes, know well.

Their latest projects, Bunker Byron and Banks at Byron, are just moments from Belongil Beach in Byron Bay, each featuring carefully curated pieces from the King Living Collection.

We explore both luxury stays with Neil and Krystal and delve into their vision for the Byron Escapes brand.

Creating Bunker Escapes

Neil's journey into the world of construction began at a young age. “I started FutureFlip when I was 18. I found this love for building,” he shares. “I didn’t want to go home, so I did my apprenticeship and was hungry to build my own houses and have my own company. By 21, I had about 40 staff.” This early drive and passion led to the creation of countless unique homes, and now the launch of the Bunker Escapes brand.

The idea for Bunker Escapes stemmed from the Hipwells’ own travel experiences. “When we went on holidays, we found everyone was staying at different accommodations all over the place,” Krystal explains. “It was hard to find somewhere you could all be under one roof and create memories together.”

For the Hipwells, creating a luxury stay that multiple people visit each week and experience firsthand is a thrill. “It’s pretty exciting,” Neil says. “Having a space where guests can experience what we created with our minds and hands is incredibly rewarding.”

As Bunker Escapes grows, the pair envisions a collection of unique getaways under one unified brand. "Our goal is to inspire unexpected getaways,” says Krystal, “guiding guests to the perfect escape they didn’t even know they needed, all within the Bunker Escapes family.”

Featuring the Heritage Dining Table and Heirloom Dining Chairs.

Designing Distinct Styles

Each Bunker Escape home embodies a unique aesthetic, showcasing the brand’s distinctive vision and design approach.

Bunker Byron – Industrial elegance

Bunker Byron is a bold, minimalist design in which concrete and dark tones dominate. Concrete plays a starring role, with Neil emphasising its versatility. "I got quite obsessed with what you can do with concrete—how you can form it, trowel it, and finish it. You can create incredible shapes and engineer it to look like it's floating."

Featuring the Bellaire Bed and Issho Side Table

Featuring the Zaza Sofa, Issho Coffee Table and Antipodes Organic Rug.

The exposed raw materials are a signature of Neil’s work, creating a stripped-back, minimal aesthetic. "We expose the construction of the house; you see everything. It’s very minimal and pared back. It lets the structure speak for itself."

Krystal describes Bunker as “a more masculine home, with strong lines and bold, dark colours”. While this style was intentional, the team carefully incorporated details to add softness to the look.

“Rather than sticking to all monochrome, we thought we'd throw in a little bit of green. It really ties in beautifully with the landscaping and softens it slightly.”

Featuring the 1977 Sofa, Heritage Extension Dining Table and Heirloom Dining Chair.

Banks at Byron – Coastal beauty

In contrast, Banks at Byron embraces a light, coastal aesthetic with a distinctly Byron Bay feel. The home is airy and effortlessly relaxed, embodying the true essence of coastal living. "It’s very Byron—totally in keeping with the local surroundings," says Krystal.

The home is a fresh take on the coastal style, avoiding the overly familiar approach. "A coastal style can feel generic," Krystal explains. "But what we’ve achieved here, with our own spin, has really set this home apart."

"My favorite part of Banks is the curves and the staircase," Neil shares. "The curved staircase adds a softness to the industrial look, balancing the raw, masculine feel of the concrete with a more feminine touch."

Featuring the 1977 Sofa, Heritage Coffee Table and Oceania Rug.

Featuring the Serenade Bedside Table (left) and the 1977 Sofa, Heritage Coffee Table, Heritage Extension Dining Table and Oceania Rug (right).

The transformation of Banks at Byron became truly apparent when the furniture was installed. "It wasn’t until the sofa went in that the space really came to life," Krystal adds. "Furniture and styling have a huge impact on amplifying the design and architecture, bringing it all together beautifully." The carefully selected King Living designs elevate the home’s relaxed coastal vibe, ensuring both comfort and style in equal measure.

“The 1977 Sofa was the perfect addition. You've got the curves that complement the spiral staircase, and it all tied in perfectly.” Krystal explained. “I also love how big the Heritage Dining Table is.You can easily extend or make it smaller – I can foresee so many of our guests having beautiful dinner parties in that space.”

Neil and Krystal rest on the Heritage Dining Table.

A home away from home

For Neil and Krystal Hipwell, creating Bunker Escapes wasn’t just about building beautiful homes—it was about crafting unforgettable experiences for their guests. "We wanted people to go away and say they had never slept so well and had great family time on the lounge," Neil shared. "It’s important for us to know our guests had a comfortable stay."

With the idyllic Byron Bay setting as a backdrop, each Bunker Escape home offers a serene retreat where guests can unwind, recharge, and reconnect. "What’s not to love about Byron?" Krystal adds. "It’s so beautiful. We love the lifestyle and the beach."

Whether it's the industrial elegance of Bunker Byron or the coastal beauty of Banks at Byron, these homes embody the best of Byron Bay living—providing a home for family and friends under one roof to create truly meaningful experiences.

Book your stay at a Bunker Escapes home, visit the Futureflip website or follow Bunker Byron on Instagram.

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