Heritage luxe: inside Capella Sydney ahead of March debut

One of downtown Sydney’s historic sandstone buildings will emerge transformed in March 2023, with fresh details for Capella Sydney – the first Australian property for the Singaporean boutique hotel label – painting a picture of classic elegance with a contemporary sheen.

Spanning eight levels within the former Department of Education building, built in the Edwardian Baroque style in 1915, the hotel is being meticulously restored in advance of its next chapter, with a wellness spa and three sleek dining venues just the preamble.

On the ground floor, McRae Bar will offer "an elegant cocktail experience with late 1800's touches".

Occupying a full city block – encircled by Loftus, Bridge and Young Streets – it will feature 192 beautiful rooms and suites, each one an inviting sanctuary with high ceilings, standalone tubs, and custom Italian Frette linen. The largest is the 235 sqm signature Capella Suite.

The Capella Suite is the hotel's largest and most opulent abode.

“Capella Sydney is not just an ode to the city and Sydneysiders, it’s an open invitation for discerning travellers from all around the world to visit Australia and experience the magic of this place we call home,” reveals Marc von Arnim, Capella Sydney’s General Manager.

Each of the 192 rooms and suites is bathed in natural light.

“The Capella brand is synonymous with luxury, excellence in the craft of hospitality and cultural immersion. Capella Sydney takes this to the next level through unparalleled heritage work, architecture and interior design, state-of-the-art wellness facilities and transformative guest experiences that go above and beyond the expected, underscored by world-class accommodation and dining,” von Arnim adds.

Capella Sydney will be a short downhill walk to Circular Quay.

The first space to emerge from the transformation will be Aperture, a light-filled dining venue set beneath a soaring glass ceiling and housing a seven-metre green wall, kinetic sculpture – ‘Meadow’ by Amsterdam-based Studio Drift – and the lush canopy of two weeping figs.

Anchored to the Young Street shoulder of the building is signature restaurant Brasserie 1930, which will celebrate Australian produce and age-old cooking techniques, such as curing, smoking, fermenting, preserving and pickling, all backed up by a stellar wine list.

Ground-floor venue Brasserie 1930 will offer brasserie dishes and a stellar wine list

Lastly is the intimate McRae Bar, named in honour of the building’s original architect, George McRae. It’s described as a modern take on a Victorian era drinking den where guests can indulge in “an elegant cocktail experience with late 1800’s touches”.

Up on level six, the hotel’s wellness retreat – Auriga Spa – is destined to become a destination for those in need of some rest and relaxation, replete with a 20m heated indoor pool, gym equipped with Technogym and a yoga platform, plus a sauna and steam room.

Auriga Spa's 20m indoor pool is a knockout.

Capella Sydney is the city’s latest luxury hotel to open within a heritage-listed address, following the September debut of Porter House Hotel – MGallery on Castlereagh Street.

Contemporary additions are also earmarked for the coming years, including the long-delayed W Sydney in October 2023, and the Waldorf Astoria Sydney, welcoming guests from 2025.