One of Sydney’s most significant 19th-century government buildings opened to the public on 2 February as The Lands by Capella Events, marking the culmination of a decade-long transformation that brings luxury events infrastructure to Australia’s CBD.
The opening of five event spaces across Level Two represents the first phase of a project that will ultimately deliver more than 10,000 sqm. of mixed-use space within the heritage-listed Department of Lands building, constructed between 1876 and 1892.
Developed by Singapore’s Pontiac Land Group, the venue completes The Sandstone Precinct alongside Capella Sydney, which opened in March 2023 and was recently ranked No. 12 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025.
Strategic timing in competitive market
The opening arrives as Sydney’s events infrastructure expands significantly. The Cutaway at Barangaroo reopens in 2026 following major redesign. The new Sydney Fish Market at Blackwattle Bay will provide waterfront event capabilities. Western Sydney International Airport opens late 2026, delivering direct access for international delegates.
The Lands by Capella distinguishes itself through heritage significance and integration with an award-winning luxury hotel. Marc von Arnim, general manager of Capella Sydney, noted strong market response. “Since our initial announcement, event enquiries have increased substantially, with our first quarter already at capacity,” he said.
Confirmed bookings span finance, pharmaceuticals, private equity, luxury brands and healthcare sectors. Several international brands secured event dates without physically inspecting the venues, according to the company.
Heritage meets contemporary function
Designed by colonial architect James Barnet in Victorian Renaissance Revival style, the Department of Lands building served as administrative headquarters for NSW land management throughout late 19th-century colonial expansion. Added to the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999, the building narrowly avoided conversion to a casino in the 1980s.
Global architecture practice Hassell led the adaptive reuse design with heritage architects Purcell. The approach prioritises making “the proposed use fit the building, not the building fit the use.”
The five event spaces feature 4.6-metre ceilings, restored cedar windows and heritage detailing. Advanced audiovisual systems, operable walls and flexible staging enable configurations from intimate corporate meetings to gala dinners accommodating up to 250 guests.
All events receive support from Capella Sydney’s hospitality team, with menus by executive chef Gabriele Taddeucci, who sources 80 per cent of produce from NSW suppliers.
Economic impact and employment
The Sandstone Precinct represents one of NSW’s largest privately funded tourism infrastructure projects. Ernst & Young analysis estimates more than 500 full-time equivalent positions generated across construction and tourism, with A$1.2 billion contribution to Sydney’s economic output.
More than 95 per cent of builders, craftspeople and consultants are Australian companies, according to Pontiac Land Group.
Full transformation completes by late 2026, adding restaurants, bars, experiential retail and cultural programming. This positions Sydney to compete for multi-day international conferences requiring integrated accommodation, events and hospitality infrastructure.
The opening coincides with renewed focus on heritage adaptive reuse. A coalition of South Australian architects, builders and academics recently called for national policy making adaptive reuse the default consideration before redevelopment approval, citing carbon emission benefits.
Redefining corporate events expectations
Capella Sydney’s performance has exceeded industry expectations. Beyond its World’s 50 Best Hotels ranking and Best Hotel in Oceania designation, the hotel secured multiple Australian industry awards in 2024, including Best Deluxe Accommodation at the Australian Hotels Association Awards.
Parent company Pontiac Land Group manages assets exceeding SGD 10 billion across Singapore, Sydney, New York and the Maldives. The family-owned developer co-founded Capella Hotel Group in 2006 and acquired it as a wholly owned subsidiary in 2017.
For senior HR leaders and workplace strategists, The Lands by Capella represents emerging expectations in corporate events provision. Organisations increasingly seek venues delivering distinctive experiences beyond standard conference facilities – spaces where architectural heritage, cultural programming and personalised service combine.
The venue’s appeal to pharmaceutical, finance and technology sectors suggests these industries prioritise event environments reflecting brand sophistication whilst enabling practical business functions. Integration with Capella Sydney’s 192 guest rooms provides accommodation for multi-day conferences without delegates navigating Sydney’s transport networks.
The Department of Lands building opens for public access for the first time in its 150-year history. Previously restricted to government employees, the building’s restored sandstone halls and architectural volumes now serve corporate gatherings, product launches and celebrations.
This transformation from civic administration to luxury events infrastructure reflects broader shifts in how major cities repurpose heritage assets to support contemporary business needs whilst preserving cultural significance.
