Umbrellas added as final touch to d’Arenberg Cube at McLaren Vale

MARY Poppins was at the forefront of Chester Osborn’s decision to perch large umbrellas atop the d’Arenberg Cube at McLaren Vale ahead of its opening next month. WATCH THE VIDEO

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MARY Poppins was at the forefront of Chester Osborn’s decision to perch large umbrellas atop the d’Arenberg Cube at McLaren Vale ahead of its planned opening next month.

Mr Osborn says the 16 motorised umbrellas – 15 that are black and one red – were among the final touches to his $13 million creation.

The five-storey building has been 14 years in the making for the fourth generation d’Arenberg winemaker, who is excitedly awaiting its opening.

“It’s taking longer than I’d like but we’re getting a lot closer,” Ms Osborn says.

“I see no reason why it shouldn’t be open in the next three to four weeks.”

He says the umbrellas will protect the building from the sun.

The cube under construction in February.

“I could’ve coloured the roof in completely but one day I decided, ‘Let’s make it really Mary Poppins and have umbrellas on top looking as though they’re in mid-air’,” Mr Osborn says.

“I didn’t make it easy because none of the umbrellas are straight and vertical – they’re all different sizes and different angles.”

He says the finishing touches are being put on the development, which includes 115 televisions and quirky pieces of art being installed throughout the building.

Mr Osborn says a crane had to be used to install a bar and movable barriers on the roof after they would not fit in the elevator.

The Cube, which was built with the help of $2 million state government funding, includes public and private tasting rooms, several bars, and a restaurant.