Capella Sydney Hotel: Heritage Reimagined by Make Architects and BAR Studio

Reviving a Heritage Landmark into a World-Class Luxury Hotel

Just 400 meters from the iconic Sydney Harbour, the former Department of Education building in the historic Sandstone Precinct has been meticulously transformed into the luxurious Capella Sydney Hotel. This 5-star destination is a collaborative project between Make Architects and BAR Studio, showcasing a seamless fusion of Edwardian Baroque grandeur and contemporary elegance.

A Sensitive Architectural Restoration

Originally constructed in 1912 by government architect George McRae, the sandstone-clad structure once served as a major government office. The building’s Florentine Palazzo-style façade, marble vestibules, and heritage roof lanterns have been carefully restored, preserving its original architectural splendor. The redesign thoughtfully introduces modern elements while maintaining historical integrity, making it a flagship model of heritage hotel restoration.

Public Access and Urban Integration

Capella Sydney is now fully open to the public for the first time in its history. The design reconfigures the ground floor to foster public engagement, including elegant restaurants, bars, meeting spaces, and a reinstated internal courtyard called Aperture. These changes establish the hotel as a vibrant cultural hub in the city’s heart.

Interior Design: Modern Elegance Meets Historical Roots

BAR Studio's interiors reflect a refined balance between the building’s past and present. Elements such as black steel-framed windows, timber and metal-framed portals, and neutral palettes of grey stone and timber, create a soothing urban sanctuary. Design accents—including marble flooring, antique mirrors, and contemporary arches—echo early 20th-century glamour while providing modern luxury.

Exceptional Guest Experience and Amenities

The hotel comprises 192 guest rooms, including suites that span both heritage and newly added levels. Four additional floors have been added, featuring curved glass corners and fluted fins that pay homage to the existing structure while reimagining the Sydney skyline.

The Auriga Spa, housed in the former Department of Education gallery on level 6, offers a tranquil wellness retreat complete with a 20-meter indoor pool, fitness suite, and treatment rooms illuminated by copper-lined roof lanterns.

Outdoor Connection and Public Art Curation

Guests and visitors are guided through an immersive arrival sequence from Farrer Place to the skylit courtyard, which is now a core feature of the hotel experience. Public art installations, curated by Freeman Ryan Design and The Artling, celebrate the site's cultural significance and historical context through storytelling.

Sustainable Infrastructure and Smart Design

Three new basement levels discreetly house back-of-house functions, reducing the visual impact above ground and ensuring a more sustainable operation. These subterranean systems also serve the neighboring Lands Building, enhancing energy efficiency and minimizing the carbon footprint of the precinct.

All the photographs are works of Tim Kaye, Judy Watson