Sandstone Education Building
Value: $265m
Client: Pontiac Land Group
Architect: Make Architects
Completion date: March 2023
After our collaborative, early involvement approach, we have delivered the restoration and conversion of the historic Department of Education Building – in what was once known as the Sandstone Precinct – into a new hotel.
Structured in two phases, we were initially engaged under an ECI to de-risk the first stage incorporating the Education Building before commencing construction in early-2018.
The methodology incorporated innovative and meticulous planning to preserve the heritage of the building, which spotlighted 14 features of exception heritage significance. These include the external sandstone façade, marble entrance steps, original steel windows, the Level 7 gallery and the roof top sky lanterns.
The original structure was completed gutted, its heritage features were maintained and restored to their former glory. Our methodology included developing a temporary steel structure and significant underpinning works using 300 tonnes of steel to retain the heritage façade in order to enable demolition and excavation works. The façade retention steel was woven through the structure, connecting to the existing building fabric.
“Built has the proven expertise and award-winning hotel and hospitality experience to deliver the second stage of this complex heritage construction and refurbishment project.”
Land Group Chief Executive Officer, David Tsang
We partnered with heritage specialist trades to restore many historic elements to their original conditions, including the heritage façade, window and roof lanterns.
A modern twist was added to the sandstone façade with the addition of a four-storey extension on top of the building, clad in matte aluminium alloy, elevating the hotel from seven storeys to 11.
The completed hotel now includes a ground-level reception, bars, and dining areas, 192 new guestrooms, an impressive 20m-long internal pool, spa and gym facilities, ballroom and event rooms, roof terraces and new glass façade elements.
This project represents an example of Built’s track record and expertise delivering complex heritage projects. With a well established reputation in heritage refurbishment we have successfully completed heritage projects in almost every state across Australia.
We have since gone on to win stage two of Capella, which will see the redevelopment of the adjacent Department of Lands building
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