One of Sydney’s most hotly anticipated hotels, Capella, has officially finished construction phase.
Pontiac Land Group hosted a special ceremony in the hotel’s entrance foyer to celebrate the transformation of Sydney’s former Department of Education building into a luxury 192-room hotel
Kicking off with a First Nations Smoking Ceremony, followed by speeches from the CEO of Pontiac Land Group, the Lord Mayor of Sydney and Singapore’s High Commissioner to Australia.
“It took seven years of planning, conservation work and renovations, and although not easy, the stunning result makes it worthwhile,” said the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Councillor Clover Moore.
“Pontiac Land has collaborated with the City in the areas of heritage restoration and interpretation, public art and most recently Sydney’s North Public Domain Plan Update so we knew these precious buildings were in good hands.
“And from March, when Capella Sydney opens to its first guests, it will add to the vibrancy of our Quay Quarter with its web of laneways and variety of venues in heritage buildings.
“A once strictly nine-to-five part of town will be alive around the clock, and the hotel will be a wonderful addition to the rejuvenated Circular Quay precinct.”
During the ceremony, four specially commissioned heritage interpretation artworks by renowned Australian artist Judy Watson were unveiled within the Education Building’s original directory boards.
The hotel was a two-phase restoration project, comprising two heritage properties – the former Department of Education building and Department of Lands building, collectively known as the Sandstone Precinct.
Restoration works at the Department of Lands building are still underway, with an estimated completion date in 2026.
Upon completion, Capella Sydney will be extended into a mixed-use development with larger-scale event and meeting spaces, curated retailers and signature food and beverage establishments, catering to both luxury travellers and the precinct’s business scene.
Artworks by renowned Australian artist Judy Watson, which were hung on the Education Building’s original directory boards.
An economic impact analysis by Ernst and Young estimates it will create over 500 full-time equivalent jobs across the construction and tourism sectors and contribute approximately $1.2bn both directly and indirectly to Sydney’s economic output.
Throughout the project, Pontiac Land made an effort to engage Australian companies and craftspeople in the restoration project, with over 95 per cent of the project’s builders, craftspeople and consultants being local Australian companies.
“We are thankful for the trust extended to Pontiac Land of these historically significant buildings,” said David Tsang, CEO of Pontiac Land Group.
“Capella Sydney demonstrates the group’s expertise in architectural and heritage conservation, our commitment to be a custodian of Australian art and culture, and our beliefs in creating inspiring environments in partnership with the local communities.
“We look forward to unveiling this new landmark of luxury hospitality for the public to experience in March 2023.”
Capella Sydney will open for online reservations from mid-December 2022.
