The conversion and adaptive reuse of the Department of Lands and Department of Education buildings – collectively, The Sandstone Precinct – at 23 – 33 and 35 – 39 Bridge Street in the northern precinct of Sydney’s CBD, are iconic heritage projects.

With planning approval provided in stages over the years, the original proposal would have seen both buildings turned into luxury hotels.

Under the reworked plan, 192-guestrooms with a wellness suite and internal pools, gym and spa treatment facilities are contained in the Education Building – now reborn as Capella Sydney – while the Lands Building, which is due to open in 2025, will feature retail space, social and club spaces, co-working spaces, a ballroom, event rooms and new roof terraces.

With 3 additional storeys added to the Education Building, the lower floors are anchored by a trio of high-end restaurants and bars. Both buildings will be connected by a new underground pathway.

Property NSW’s decision to lease the buildings to Pontiac Land Group in 2015 for a $300 million plus hotel was met with resistance from a group of architects.

That group of architects believed the building should be better used for public use, such as for a school and extension to the Art Gallery of NSW (noting that the new and improved Art Gallery of NSW opened its doors to the public in December 2022).