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Innovative services design facilitates grand hotel in Sydney’s heritage district

At a Glance

  • $300M

    Project Value

  • 2

    Heritage Blocks

  • 1800s

    Heritage

Location
Sydney, New South Wales
Offices
Client
  • Pontiac Land Group
Architect
Make Architects and Ridley Architects

Sandstone Buildings

When Pontiac Land Group wanted to transform two heritage buildings into a hotel, they called on our team and our integrated and sympathetic design approach to revitalise these beautiful buildings in central Sydney. Our challenge? To meet the complex hotel requirements whilst minimising impact on the architecture and facade of the two structures—which extend over two blocks and are linked by an underground tunnel.

Limiting construction impact and excavation allowed for many of the heritage features to remain intact both internally and externally. Also, we negotiated with the authority for the power supply to be provided from adjacent buildings and investigated to determine where existing water, sewer, stormwater, and gas connections could be reused.

Our mechanical design connects to a centralised system through the services tunnel, and the fire protection system is serviced via a single, shared water and boosting source. The acoustic treatment of services was tailored around the architecture to achieve performance and comfort targets, and our lighting scheme celebrates the beautiful features in circulation areas. Our teams also contributed electrical, hydraulics, environmental, social, and governance (ESG), and fire engineering services.

The newest redevelopment and addition to Sydney’s CBD, Capella Sydney, boasts luxury amenities including a pool, spa, ground floor bar, ballroom, restaurants, and guest accommodation. The historic Education building is the first of the two buildings to be completed within the precinct, and the second—the Lands Building—is estimated to be completed by January 2026.

At a Glance

  • $300M

    Project Value

  • 2

    Heritage Blocks

  • 1800s

    Heritage

Location
Sydney, New South Wales
Offices
Client
  • Pontiac Land Group
Architect
Make Architects and Ridley Architects

Meet Our Team

Olivier Gaussen, Director, Global Acoustics Leader, Buildings

Working within a multidisciplinary company helps me bring a strategic contribution to concept stages, setting projects up for success.
Olivier Gaussen Director, Global Acoustics Leader, Buildings Read More

David Quigley, Principal, Fire Protection Group Leader, NSW

Understanding the client’s needs coupled with my knowledge of life safety systems allows me to provide precise and accurate documentation.
David Quigley Principal, Fire Protection Group Leader, NSW Read More

David Steblina, Associate Director, Senior Hydraulic Project Technical Lead/Australian Discipline Leader

The most successful projects are those where the team have a common cause and listen to the needs of the client.
David Steblina Associate Director, Senior Hydraulic Project Technical Lead/Australian Discipline Leader Read More

Sunny Hong, Senior Transport Engineer

Keen attention to detail sets me apart—I find it plays a big role in my responsibilities as a systems engineer.

Olivier Gaussen

Director, Global Acoustics Leader, Buildings

David Quigley

Principal, Fire Protection Group Leader, NSW

David Steblina

Associate Director, Senior Hydraulic Project Technical Lead/Australian Discipline Leader

Sunny Hong

Senior Transport Engineer

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