Sydney Open

Australia’s premier open building event Sydney Open returns for its 12th year on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November, unlocking the doors to some of the city’s most historic and architecturally inspiring buildings usually off limits to the general public. 

Presented by Sydney Living Museums, Sydney Open offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at some of the city’s most loved buildings and hidden architectural treasures, with 50 sites across the CBD, The Rocks and Walsh Bay open to the public on Sunday 6 November.

“Each year Sydney Open offers a glimpse inside Sydney’s incredible built heritage and offers insight into how great architecture influences our lives,” said Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Acting Executive Director, Sydney Living Museums.

“Since the first event in 1997, over 62,000 people have explored over 400 buildings across the city. Sydney Open reminds visitors what an extraordinarily interesting city Sydney is, with no end of awe-inspiring architecture to discover.”

This year’s program promises Sydney Open favourites such as the Great Synagogue, the Harry Seidler-designed Grosvenor Place, AMP Building, the City Recital Hall, Deutsche Bank Place and Hong Kong House.

Some exciting new buildings and spaces including the recently opened 200 George Street designed by architects Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp, HASSELL’s new Sydney studio in the heritage-listed, former wool store on pier 8/9 at Walsh Bay, PTW Architect’s Calyx structure in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and Macquarie Bank’s new offices in the historic No. 1 Martin Place building have also been incorporated. 

Sydney Open 2016 also celebrates some of the city’s much-loved heritage buildings. Along Macquarie Street, Parliament House, Sydney Hospital and The Mint will open their doors to visitors. Once the site of Governor Macquarie’s first General ‘Rum’ Hospital, these buildings reveal 200 years of fascinating history, heritage, architecture and politics.

Showcasing 200 years of public architecture, the program will also include some of the diverse projects by the government architect’s office, from Francis Greenway’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks to James Barnet’s Australian Museum, as well as other grand old buildings including Government House, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, State Library of NSW and Customs House.

This year ticketholders can extend their Sydney Open experience with special tours on Saturday 5 November offering exclusive access to a range of the city’s most unique spaces, above and below ground, including the Tank Stream, St James Church Belltower, Central Station Clocktower, St James Tunnels and hard hat tours of 333 George Street.  

“These exclusive tours are hugely popular with Sydney Open enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy a guided and more in-depth experience of some of the city’s hidden spaces, however access to these sites is strictly limited and only available to Sydney Open ticketholders,” said Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon.

Sydney Open will be held on 5 and 6 November, information and bookings here.