One hundred and ninety-two rooms in the restored 1840s sandstone Department of Education building on Bridge Street. Opened May 2023 — Sydney's most refined heritage-restored luxury hotel.
"192 rooms in the restored 1840s sandstone Department of Education building. Opened May 2023 — Sydney's most refined heritage-restored luxury hotel."
Capella Sydney opened in May 2023 in the restored Department of Education building on Bridge Street in Sydney's CBD — a Greek Revival sandstone structure built in stages between 1838 and 1914 and used as the New South Wales Department of Education for over a century before the building was acquired and converted to a luxury hotel. The architectural conversion preserved every surviving stone, the original sandstone facade, and the heritage architectural features while adding the contemporary luxury hotel infrastructure required. The restoration is widely considered one of the most successful heritage-conversion luxury hotel projects in Australia.
The 192 rooms split between the entry-level Capella Rooms (with restored heritage architectural features in some categories), the Capella Suites (with the larger configurations), the Heritage Suites (in the original 1840s portion of the building, with the most preserved architectural features), and the Capella Suite — the property's flagship, occupying multiple original spaces with substantial outdoor terrace and the most extensive heritage features. The interiors integrate Australian-designed furniture and curated Australian art with the restored heritage architecture.
The grounds — the central Library Atrium (Capella Sydney's signature architectural feature, a sandstone-walled glass-roofed central courtyard around which the property's restaurants and public spaces are organised), the Auriga Spa (named for the constellation, with comprehensive luxury spa programmes), the heated indoor pool, and the gardens — are integrated within the heritage building footprint. The Library Atrium has become one of Sydney's most photographed luxury hotel public spaces.
Dining is at three main restaurants. McRae is the headline modern Australian fine-dining in the original 1840s portion of the building. Brasserie 1930 is the more relaxed all-day. Aperture Bar is the cocktail bar in the converted historical archive room. The wine programme is heavily Australian-focused with the country's strongest hotel cellar of small-batch Australian and New Zealand producers. Service is the consistent Capella global standard delivered by a heavily Australian team. Capella Sydney is the most refined Sydney heritage-luxury answer and the answer for travellers who want the post-2023-restoration polish with the heritage architectural depth.
The Sydney anniversary at the most refined heritage-restored property. Book a Heritage Suite for the original 1840s architectural features. McRae dinner in the original 1840s dining hall; the Library Atrium for evening drinks; the Auriga Spa programme. The combination of the heritage restoration and the post-2023 polish produces a particularly distinctive Sydney anniversary stay.
Capella Sydney's CBD location, the heritage-design business setting, and the Capella Lead Host service standard make it the most distinctive business-luxury Sydney option. The Library Atrium and the Aperture Bar serve as Sydney business-meeting venues. Different from the harbour-view options at Park Hyatt and Four Seasons — the right choice for business travellers who want the heritage-design setting.
The Sydney honeymoon for couples whose taste runs to heritage-architecture and design rather than the standard harbour-view luxury. The Library Atrium dinner setting; the Heritage Suites; the Capella service standard. Different from the harbour-view options — for couples who want the heritage Sydney experience.
24 Loftus Street
Sydney CBD NSW 2000
Bridge Street, Sydney CBD; 25 min from Sydney Airport (SYD)
192 rooms in restored 1840s heritage building
Capella Room from AU$1,200/night
Capella Suite from AU$2,400
Heritage Suite from AU$4,500
Capella Suite (flagship) from AU$15,000
Check-in: 3:00 PM
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Minimum stay: 1 night
Restored 1840s Greek Revival sandstone
Library Atrium central courtyard
McRae (modern Australian fine-dining)
Auriga Spa
Opened May 2023
Open year-round
Peak: December–February (book 3 months ahead)
Best value: June–August
High-speed WiFi throughout
Reliable signal in all rooms
In-suite office setups standard
From AU$1,200/night. Heritage Suites (the most-requested category) book 3 months ahead in peak.
Book This Hotel →155 rooms on Sydney Harbour waterfront with direct Opera House views. The most photographed Australian luxury hotel.
531 rooms in The Rocks tower facing the harbour. Recently renovated, the polished Four Seasons Sydney.
98 rooms in The Rocks. The polished mid-luxury Langham Sydney.