Gentrification may come with a steep hike in pricing of almost everything, but very often it spawns sweet perks as well. Waterloo is a neighbourhood in Sydney‘s inner city, situated close to the highly coveted residential areas of Redfern and Surry Hills. The allure of the latter two has rubbed off in recent years, instigating a transformation of this little urban patch. Nestled in the corner of a new modern apartment block on Lachlan Street is a coffee parlour that’s indicative of Waterloo dwellers’ upgraded life expectations. Called Plus Two Coffee, it occupies an elongated 58 sqm. (624 sq.ft.) corner unit on the ground floor of the residential building, and one side is entirely covered in floor-to-ceiling glass. The interior design, created by Melbourne-based architect Alana Cooke, is clean and understated, and sees hardwood timber counter pressed up against the wall and running the length of the space. Equipment and process face outward toward the customer, inviting visual participation in the coffee-making process. Right above the counter, suspended grey mesh shelving units drop from the ceiling, as do custom-detailed grey ceiling blades which compress the height of the space to create intimacy and intermittently conceal long lengths of lighting. Seating arrangements alongside the windows feature timber tables paired with metal stools. The terrazzo tiles on the floor are also used to clad the wall, creating a strong visual cohesion. Two Plus Coffee primarily serves a range of coffee options, including cold brew and iced coffee, in addition to various teas and bites. The latter ranges from classic breakfast favourites and fruits, to spaghetti bolognese and salads.