The Lands by Capella will open in early 2026 within Sydney’s historic Department of Lands building, offering 10,000 sqm of event space in the city’s central business district. Developed by Singapore’s Pontiac Land Group, the venue forms part of The Sandstone Precinct alongside the award-winning Capella Sydney hotel, which opened in 2023. The precinct sits between Circular Quay, Macquarie and George Streets. The venue’s Level 2 will house five event spaces, headlined by The Capella Ballroom with capacity for 250 guests and The Liberty Ballroom accommodating 120. Three meeting suites – The Botanist Suite, The Surveyors Suite (40 guests each) and The Explorers Suite (80 guests) – will also be included. Architecture firm Hassell led the adaptive reuse project alongside heritage specialists Purcell. The design preserves original features including arched windows, marble corridors and timber doors with contemporary elements added. “We’ve taken a long-underutilised site and reawakened its original grandeur – honouring the exceptional heritage fabric while sensitively layering in contemporary design that sets it up for another century of life,” said Hassell managing director Liz Westgarth. Events will be serviced by Capella Sydney’s hospitality team, including executive chef Gabriele Taddeucci. The neighbouring hotel provides 192 rooms for overnight guests.
“Business Events Sydney is very excited to see the expansion of the Capella footprint into another of Sydney’s characteristic heritage sandstone grand ladies, the former NSW Department of Lands building. The transformation, combining Victorian-era grandeur with state-of-the art facilities, is a magnificent addition to Sydney’s business events offering as the sector powers past pre-pandemic levels,” said Amanda Lampe, CEO of Business Events Sydney.
The site will also house The Sandstones Club by Florence Guild, a members club, alongside retail and dining spaces when it opens in Q1 2026.
