The Lands by Capella

The Lands by Capella reimagines Sydney’s former Department of Lands building as a vibrant, contemporary destination. Together with the neighbouring Department of Education building, the project completes the vision for luxury hotel, Capella Sydney, uniting five-star hospitality with dynamic public life and commercial energy.

Transforming a long-underutilised government office into a dynamic, publicly accessible destination will elevate the Sandstone Precinct’s growing reputation – reinforcing its emergence as one of Sydney’s most vibrant cultural and tourism districts.

As Heritage Architect, we’re providing expert conservation guidance on the interiors and external facade, that creates a seamless blend of heritage architecture and forward-thinking design.

Working in collaboration with Hassell, their adaptive reuse design carefully preserves the historic fabric of the site while unlocking nearly 10,000 square metres of vibrant new amenity – from luxury experiential retail and elevated food and beverage offerings to rooftop dining and expansive event spaces.

The dynamic sandstone facades encircling the building have been carefully conserved, while the prominent domes and tempiettos of the roof have been revitalised with new copper sheeting in a traditional style. The conservation works have been established to preserve the significant visual qualities of The Lands by Capella.

Modern upgrades – such as lifts and bathroom amenities – have been strategically inserted into areas already altered over time, allowing the significant heritage rooms around the perimeter to remain intact in their original configuration. This design strategy preserves each room’s connection to the city and ensures these civic spaces continue to inspire. The result is a remarkable, dynamic destination poised to become a central gathering place for Sydneysiders and visitors alike.