Pepes Italian & Liquor with Trunk Town

Beneath a 150 year old, heritage listed Coral Tree (Erythrina × sykesii), the courtyard at Pepe’s is shaped by a living landmark. Its broad canopy casts a measured light that defines the microclimate—cool, dappled, and inviting— while layered planting frames intimate zones and a generous open heart for gatherings.

Since 2009, Ayus Botanical has stewarded and reimagined these CBD courtyard gardens—from the Trunktown era through the redevelopment and opening of Pepe’s Italian & Liquor in 2019—working in dialogue with the venue’s heritage fabric and in collaboration with a visionary client. Permanent garden planters are complemented by freestanding Mediterranean-style vessels, their patina and proportion balancing structure with ease; the planting language is disciplined yet expressive, calibrated for year-round performance and a distinctly Italian mood.

To keep the garden fresh and seasonal, Ayus delivers twice-yearly installations that layer new tone and texture—Roman Holiday or Sicilian Piazza in the height of summer; Winter Wonderland when the air turns crisp—each iteration renewing the sense of arrival without losing the courtyard’s soul. Shade, scent and silhouette set the tempo of hospitality here: a city sanctuary defined by green, crafted for conversation, celebration and pause.