Pontiac Land Group today announces the completion of The Lands by Capella, marking the transformation of one of Sydney’s most celebrated heritage buildings into a world-class luxury destination. The milestone signals the beginning of the next chapter for the Sandstone Precinct, the city’s emerging cultural, culinary, and lifestyle hub anchored by Capella Sydney.
Set to open progressively to the public throughout 2026, The Lands by Capella will offer approximately 10,000 square metres of experiential luxury and bespoke retail, elevated dining, unique workspaces, boutique lifestyle concepts, and grand event spaces. With tenant fit-outs set to commence in early 2026, the precinct will champion Sydney’s cultural heritage while shaping its modern identity.
A Heritage Icon, Reimagined
Originally one of Sydney’s most significant heritage sites, the Department of Lands has undergone an extensive restoration and redevelopment under Pontiac Land Group’s stewardship. The completion milestone brings to life the Group’s commitment to heritage conservation, architectural excellence, and the creation of integrated precincts that elevate city life. The building celebrates sandstone craftsmanship, soaring arches, and original character, while integrating contemporary design and modern luxury.
A key partner in the redevelopment, Built, has delivered the construction and heritage works for The Lands by Capella, including the completion of one of the project’s most technically complex phases: a meticulously engineered services tunnel linking the building to Capella Sydney. This structural achievement was critical in enabling the seamless integration of the broader Sandstone Precinct. Built, which previously delivered Capella Sydney, played a vital role in ensuring the success of this transformative precinct.
“Completing a project of this heritage significance required a high level of technical expertise, collaboration and respect for the building’s history,” said David Paterson, CEO, Construction, Built. “The tunnel works were among the most complex elements of the redevelopment. From lifting an iconic heritage building with custom-engineered hydraulic systems to excavating beneath it, every step demanded precision and innovation to protect these historic structures while working within a highly constrained environment. We are incredibly proud to have partnered with Pontiac Land Group to bring The Lands by Capella to life and to help deliver a landmark that will be celebrated by Sydney for generations to come.”
The Lands by Capella: Where Culture & Luxury Lifestyle Intersect
With the building now complete, The Lands by Capella unveils its first confirmed tenants, reflecting the precinct’s commitment to creating a destination where culture, culinary artistry and luxury lifestyle intersect.
Private members business club The Sandstones Club by Florence Guild will introduce Australians to a new era of optimised living, with curated spaces designed to revolutionise the way we live, work, connect and learn. The Sandstones Club will be home to Florence Guild’s first Eir Liv Lounge, a dedicated reset space integrating hyperbaric oxygen therapy, inversion and light technologies to restore clarity and regulate the body.
Florence Guild will also bring its acclaimed hospitality arm to Sydney with the launch of Spezia, an enchanting open-air, Italian restaurant drawing inspiration from the forgotten flavours of the Silk Road. The 140-seat, all-day dining venue will be led by the group’s Michelin star executive chef Jae Bang, alongside head chef Aaron Caccia from hatted Melbourne restaurant Freyja.
“We are humbled to be the custodians of our part of this extraordinary building and privileged to contribute to its next chapter. Our focus remains on creating vibrant precincts where people genuinely want to spend their time. This development adds a thoughtful new layer to the area’s rich history, a place where old-world soul meets modern elegance. The Sandstones Club by Florence Guild will introduce something genuinely new to Australia, elevating Sydney through a considered approach to optimised living, thought-leadership and a global community of like-minded people,” said Florence Guild founder and CEO Soren Trampedach.
The Sandstone Precinct: Redefining The City’s Cultural & Retail Landscape
In February 2026, Capella Sydney will unveil its new collection of luxury event spaces within The Lands by Capella building, which are set to redefine the standard for luxury events in Australia. Purpose-built for gala evenings, conferences, weddings, and curated private events, the spaces combine heritage grandeur with Capella’s award-winning hospitality.
Capella Hotels and Resorts was honoured as the Best Hotel Brand in Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Awards” for three consecutive years between 2023 to 2025. Capella Bangkok and Capella Sydney also earned the distinction of being included in The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2025, with Capella Sydney debuting as Best Hotel in Oceania. Capella Hotels and Resorts is a member of GHA DISCOVERY, a multi-brand loyalty programme representing a collection of 40 independent hotel brands over 100 countries worldwide. This legacy of award-winning luxury hospitality now extends to The Lands by Capella, promising an unparalleled events experience.
This announcement follows the recent opening of Richard Mille’s first Australian boutique at Capella Sydney, reinforcing the calibre of global brands selecting The Sandstone Precinct as their home. Together, Capella Sydney and The Lands by Capella will create a cohesive luxury precinct set to redefine the city’s cultural and retail landscape.
“Reaching building completion at The Lands by Capella marks an important step toward realising Pontiac Land’s vision for a world-class destination that honours Sydney’s heritage while embracing contemporary luxury. This milestone is the result of the dedication and expertise of our building teams – Built, Essence and Hassell, and the support and commitment of our founding tenants, Capella Sydney, Richard Mille and Florence Guild. Their collaboration reflects the strong momentum and confidence in the Sandstone Precinct. As we prepare for the public opening in 2026, The Lands by Capella will shape a new chapter of hospitality, retail and cultural experiences in Sydney’s CBD,” commented Mr. David Tsang, CEO of Pontiac Land Group.
The Lands by Capella is scheduled to open progressively to the public in 2026.
To stay updated, visit www.thelandsbycapella.com. For leasing opportunities and enquiries, please contact capella.lands.leasing@pontiacland.com.
ABOUT PONTIAC LAND GROUP
Pontiac Land is a privately-held property developer, owner, and operator based in Singapore. The Group’s collection of properties includes mixed-use developments with hospitality, commercial and residential components.
Leveraging on over sixty years of experience in luxury property development, Pontiac Land seeks to better the built environment through thoughtful architecture and design. Each development is curated with art and spaces that are maintained by the Group’s in-house property management team to deliver hospitality to our guests and tenants. The collection spans Singapore, New York, Sydney and the Maldives.
For more information, visit www.pontiacland.com.
ABOUT CAPELLA HOTEL GROUP
Capella Hotel Group is a leading hospitality management company specialising in luxury hotels, resorts, and serviced residences. Based in Singapore, the rapidly expanding group has two brands under its portfolio and properties across ten destinations. The award-winning Capella Hotels and Resorts is renowned for its service excellence, crafted luxury design and immersive experiences celebrating the locale, while Patina Hotels & Resorts is the group’s transformative luxury brand pioneering a fresh perspective in luxury hospitality.
For more information, visit www.capellahotelgroup.com.
ABOUT CAPELLA HOTELS AND RESORTS
The Capella Hotels and Resorts constellation consists of properties located in Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Ubud, Bangkok, Hanoi, Shanghai, and Hainan. Future openings include exciting destinations such as Kyoto, Macau, Seoul, Riyadh, Nanjing and Shenzhen. The exceptional hospitality brand, taking its name from the brightest star of the Auriga constellation, shines a spotlight on local heritage, culture and community whilst crafting authentic guest experiences with the highest level of personalised service and combining a legacy of thoughtful design. Capella was named Best Hotel Brand in Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Awards” from 2023 to 2025. Capella Bangkok and Capella Sydney earned the distinction of being included in The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2025, with Capella Sydney debuting as Best Hotel in Oceania. Capella Hotels and Resorts is a member of GHA DISCOVERY, a multi-brand loyalty programme representing a collection of 40 independent hotel brands over 100 countries worldwide.
For more information, visit www.capellahotels.com.
Instagram @capellahotels | Linkedin @capellahotels
ABOUT CAPELLA SYDNEY
Capella Sydney in Australia transforms one of the city’s most treasured heritage landmarks into a contemporary sanctuary of culture and luxury. Set within the restored sandstone Department of Education building, the property’s 192 guestrooms and suites showcase soaring ceilings, bespoke furnishings, and an extraordinary collection of artwork. Situated steps from Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge, the hotel invites guests to experience the city’s architectural grandeur and creative spirit firsthand. Having opened in March 2023, Capella Sydney marks a remarkable debut for a property so young, already celebrated for redefining Australia’s luxury landscape. Conceived as both an urban retreat and a cultural gateway, it stands as a place where design, history, and modern sophistication converge to create a deeply enriching stay.
Balancing storied architectural features with a contemporary design aesthetic, Capella Sydney celebrates the Australian panorama through its interiors, location and experiences. 192 spacious guestrooms and suites and an unsurpassed wellness offering are anchored by three ground-level food and beverage outlets and a collection of bespoke function spaces. Original characteristics are celebrated throughout the hotel, with reimagined interiors unfurling to reveal commissioned and collected artworks, sophisticated furnishings and intriguing objet d’art– all within footsteps of the glistening harbour foreshore, the famed Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
For more information, visit capellahotels.com/sydney | IG: capellasydney FB: capellasydney
ABOUT BUILT
Built is a national contractor and property developer, delivering certainty at scale to take Australia forward. With $3bn+ in annual revenue and $7.5bn of work in hand, Built is a 100% Australian owned, digital-first business, committed to leading the industry in new ways.
To find out more visit www.built.com.au
ABOUT FLORENCE GUILD
Florence Guild is dedicated to optimising how people live, connect and perform. Guided by a belief in human potential, Florence Guild creates spaces and experiences that inspire a modern renaissance in daily life. Through its ecosystem of brands including Work Club, Freyja, Valhalla and Sagas, Florence Guild transforms everyday environments into connected precincts. As the former Department of Lands building reopens as The Lands by Capella, The Sandstones Club by Florence Guild, a private members club, and Spezia, the soon-to-open Italian restaurant, will help usher in a new era for this historic precinct. Learn more at www.florenceguild.com and stay connected via Instagram and LinkedIn.
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Pontiac Land Group
Email: corpcomms@pontiacland.com