Make's Stunning Sydney Office Transformation Will Leave You Speechless!

A former chocolate factory in Sydney's Haymarket district has undergone an exquisite refurbishment by Make Architects, transforming it into a stunning boutique office building. This heritage building dating back to the 1900s was preserved and celebrated in the design to retain its history and character, becoming the focal point of the project.

Located on Cunningham Street, the new development is situated in the heart of Haymarket, joining a series of commercial, retail, and food and beverage outlets that have moved into the area. The architects have thoughtfully retained as much of the original fabric of the building as possible, including steel beams, timber flooring, exposed brickwork, and original hoists, all while prioritizing sustainability and sourcing new materials within Australia.

From the exterior, the building's changes are subtle yet striking, with a painted brick façade and a new copper and steel portal door that forms the main entrance. The original roller shutter entrance has been replaced with a bespoke double-height glass and steel entrance door that slides up vertically, maintaining privacy for tenants while showcasing the lobby's illuminated lightbox at night.

Upon entry, the building unfolds into a double-height, naturally lit entrance space that highlights the original brick and timber ceiling hoists. The architects have added a new mezzanine level to increase the lettable floor space, visible from the lobby below by a full-height reeded glass window. The main stairwell appears as a copper box, contrasting with the original built fabric and extending upwards with materials that change into steel and glass for movement and light visibility throughout the building.

The office floorplates have been kept minimal, with exposed brick walls painted white where necessary, and subtle wall and hanging lights highlighting the structure. Newly engineered oak floorboards have been added to the first and second floors, enabling the original boards to form the exposed ceilings below. The architects have repurposed the existing timber structure throughout the building as ceiling panels or to reinforce the structure, where new openings have been formed for circulation.

Lucy Feast, an architect from Make, said: "This project was driven by a desire to retain as much of the building's character as possible, taking an old but perfectly good structure and updating it for a new purpose. The new office space can be for single or multiple tenants, ensuring natural light is maximized wherever possible. It's all about adaptability for the future, making it a great workplace now, but with inherent flexibility for the years to come."

In conclusion, Make Architects have breathed new life into this heritage building with their thoughtful and sustainable design, creating a stunning boutique office building that harmoniously combines old and new elements. The building's character and history remain the focus, making it a unique and appealing space for future tenants.