80 George Street

Client: NSW Place Management The 1913 Metcalfe Bond Stores in The Rocks, Sydney continued to function as a bond store until 1972. This historic building was later adapted for commercial use as a tourism centre of shops, restaurants, and offices. In 2016, the building was repurposed for a suite of new commercial tenancies highlighting its original architecture of steel, brick, and timber. Re-designed internal connections and upgraded services were introduced. The lower ground floor of the Bond Store facing Circular Quay West was refreshed with new public amenities providing pedestrian access to The Rocks precinct. Three levels of the Metcalfe Bond Stores were redesigned for new open-plan commercial office space. Earlier interior works from the 1970s were removed to reveal the original steel, brick, and timber structure of the 1913 building. These generous volumes were refurbished on the lower ground, ground floor, and mezzanine areas with a section of the steel-supported mezzanine removed allowing greater natural light. To reach the mezzanine, a folded steel stair was designed using thin steel rods to support the staircase without adding additional volume. Upgraded amenities on the lower ground level completed the project. Photography: Tom Ferguson