The revitalisation of the iconic Sydney and Melbourne Buildings in Canberra’s City Centre has gained momentum, with repainting work now underway on the Melbourne Building. This revitalisation, part of a larger façade restoration project, seeks to preserve the historical and architectural significance of these heritage-listed landmarks.
Repainting has commenced at the corner of Alinga Street and Northbourne Avenue, including business frontages such as Amici Wine Bar and Deli, Bistro Nguyen’s, and Smith’s Alternative. The project is a collaborative effort between the ACT Government and the buildings’ owners to breathe new life into these cherished structures.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr acknowledged the challenges of managing the restoration due to the buildings’ complex ownership structure. “The Sydney and Melbourne Buildings present a unique challenge due to their large and diverse ownership structure with no common management body. This complexity has led to challenges in maintaining a consistent appearance, worsened by informal and uncoordinated refurbishment efforts,” Mr Barr said.
The Sydney and Melbourne Buildings, which comprise four individual structures with around 100 separate land titles and no unified management body, have long required a coordinated approach to maintenance. The ACT Government has addressed this through a grants program to support owners in repainting façades in line with the buildings’ original colour schemes, as outlined in their Conservation Management Plan.
Property owner Ravi Sharma praised the initiative, highlighting its potential to revitalise the area. “The façade repainting will really lift these beautiful buildings and help create a standout feature for visitors to the city,” Mr Sharma said. “As a building owner, I certainly appreciate the ACT Government’s support to preserve the character of these iconic buildings. The fresh façade will enhance the appeal of the businesses operating within them and be a drawcard for patrons.”
The restoration follows other upgrades to the area, including pavement, lighting, and infrastructure improvements to Odgers and Verity Lanes, completed in 2023. Chief Minister Barr emphasised the importance of preserving the buildings as symbols of Canberra’s heritage and identity.
“The Sydney and Melbourne Buildings hold a special place in the hearts of Canberrans. Through investment from the Government and collaborative efforts with building owners, the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings will continue to stand as proud symbols of Canberra’s heritage and identity,” Mr Barr said.
The finalisation of the legislative framework for the buildings’ Revitalisation Plan is also on the horizon. The plan, which has been under development for several years, aims to address long-standing maintenance issues. The ACT Government will soon open a final round of consultation to gather input from property owners and heritage stakeholders before the legislation is tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the proposed legislation, the Government would be empowered to carry out and charge for façade restoration if owners do not complete the work themselves.
The façade restoration project is expected to take 18 months to complete, further solidifying the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings as enduring landmarks of Canberra’s City Centre.
