The revitalisation of Canberra’s iconic Sydney and Melbourne Buildings has commenced, with the restoration of the buildings’ facades currently underway. The project, a collaborative effort between the ACT government and building owners, aims to preserve and restore these heritage-listed buildings.
First constructed in 1924, the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings were the earliest commercial development in Canberra’s city centre. Designed by Australian architect Sir John Sulman, the buildings feature an Inter-War Mediterranean-style design, inspired by Brunelleschi’s Foundling Hospital in Florence.
The ACT Heritage Council notes that the complex was the earliest major development in Civic and played a significant role in establishing the character and scale of the city’s retail and business area.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr highlighted the unique challenge posed by the buildings’ diverse ownership structure, stating, “The Sydney and Melbourne Buildings present a unique challenge due to their large and diverse ownership structure with no common management body.”
To address this challenge, the ACT government has engaged with building owners, businesses, and the broader community to develop a Revitalisation Plan. The plan includes grants from the City Renewal Authority to support building owners in repainting their facades in colours consistent with the original Mediterranean-influenced palette.
A final round of consultation on the legislative process for the Revitalisation Plan will open soon, allowing the community to provide feedback before the legislation is tabled with the ACT Legislative Assembly. The estimated 18-month project follows recent upgrades to the buildings’ Odgers and Verity Lanes, completed in 2023.
Image courtesy: architectureau.com
