In the heart of Sydney’s Central Business District, on Loftus Street, the golden sandstone facade of the Department of Education building stood vacant for several decades. Then, in March 2023, the heritage-listed building once again opened its doors as the first Australian property in the Capella Hotels and Resorts portfolio.
Capella Sydney is an urban retreat in the Harbour City’s commercial and cultural heart, not far from Sydney Harbour and the iconic Opera House. It offers 192 opulent Guestrooms and Suites, three ground-level food and beverage venues – Brasserie 1930, McRae Bar and Aperture – and world-class health and spa facilities on level six. The ground level also features a collection of meeting and event spaces.
The historic sandstone structure was originally designed by Government Architect George McRae in the early 1900s. While the period-specific architectural features of the building’s exterior have remained largely untouched, the refreshed interior showcases a contemporary design aesthetic, embellished with curated artworks, opulent furnishings and intriguing objet d’art.
The Living Room, a signature concept of the Capella brand, provides a sophisticated gathering place where in-house guests can partake in daily Capella Rituals and immerse themselves in local culture amid a thoughtful collection of artefacts.
The 192 guest accommodations at Capella Sydney comprise 157 Guestrooms, 9 Accessible Rooms for guests who require greater accessibility, 22 Suites, and 4 Prestige Suites. The interior of each unit has undergone careful restoration and has been fitted out to offer guests a contemporary and opulent living space with curated artworks, furnishings and the latest in-room technology. The bedrooms feature luxurious pillow-top beds fitted with custom Italian Frette Linen. The bathrooms have exclusive Haeckels amenities.
The 22 Deluxe and Skyline Suites are one-bedroom apartment-style accommodations offering a bedroom with a super-king bed and a well-appointed living room. Three of the four Prestige Suites – Capella, Farrer and Macquarie – are distinct larger one-bedroom suites with living and dining areas that can accommodate up to six guests. The fourth – the Liberty Suite – is a duplex with an open-plan living and dining area and a spacious bathroom on the lower level. The bedroom is on the upper level with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the surrounding cityscape.
Some of the complimentary amenities offered to the hotel guests include high-speed wireless internet access for unlimited devices throughout the hotel, exclusive access to the hotel’s Living Room, exclusive access to the daily Capella Rituals program, dedicated service of the ‘Capella Culturist’ team, complimentary use of hotel bikes, and exclusive 24-hour access to the hotel’s Wellness Centre, among others.
Brasserie 1930, named in honour of the year the building was completed, is the hotel’s signature dining venue located on the Young Street shoulder of the hotel. The restaurant’s fine dining experience was conceived in consultation with one of Australia’s leading hospitality groups – the Bentley Restaurant Group.
Featuring modern brasserie classics, the menu showcases Australian produce sourced from select small-batch farmers that are prepared using age-old cooking techniques such as curing, smoking, fermenting, preserving and pickling. The theatrical centrepiece of the restaurant is the charcoal grill in the open kitchen. The restaurant has curated an impressive wine list featuring 400 international and local producers.
Occupying the footprint of what was once the open-air central courtyard of the building, Aperture was designed to be an indoor garden where guests are treated to a sensorial showcase of art, nature and cuisine. The newly installed glass ceiling floods the space with natural light. Two weeping figs and a cascading seven-metre-high green wall, featuring nearly 70 local species of flora create the aura of an enchanting garden. The bespoke overhead kinetic sculpture mimics the blossoming of flowers.
Perhaps the most grandiose transformation within the historic building is to be found on level six. What was once the Department of Education’s informal art gallery has been transformed into the hotel’s Wellness Precinct. The world-class wellness facilities include the Auriga Spa, the pool and the fitness area.
A series of overhead copper-lined heritage lanterns illuminate the wellness space with natural light. The 20-metre heated indoor swimming pool area is luxuriant in marble and natural light. The fitness centre features the latest Technogym equipment, a yoga platform and a vitality pool. The change rooms have attached steam rooms, sauna and experiential showers.
Auriga Spa is a wellness sanctuary in the heart of Sydney. The spa’s team of specialists offer a range of bespoke treatments for rebalancing, vitality or an aesthetic revival using time-tested formulas and innovative contemporary practices. The spa’s immersive treatment rooms, featuring natural tones, cater to couples as well as individuals.
Capella Sydney is a wonderful study in contrasts. It is an exceptional hotel that combines the best of historical architecture with the latest in modern comforts. Located in the very heart of Sydney’s Central Business District, its interior offers serenity and seclusion from the urban hustle and bustle of Australia’s largest city.
