Australia’s Best Hotel is Opening a ‘Landmark’ Events Precinct Next Month

Sydney is set to score a new, world-class events and lifestyle precinct, with the Capella Hotel Group announcing its swanky new venture is almost ready. Housed within the heritage-listed Department of Lands building in Circular Quay, The Lands by Capella is a bold new events destination that blends timeless design with modern elegance. From experiential luxury and bespoke retail to elevated dining and unique workspaces, the precinct promises to “redefine” the standard for luxury events in Australia.

Located just across the road from the award-winning Capella Sydney Hotel, The Lands by Capella marks a continuation of Sydney’s ever-growing luxury market. Over the past 12 months, the inner-city has seen no shortage of opulent new builds, from Paddington’s much-anticipated 25 Hours opening in October to the InterContinental Coogee Beach in December. Now, Capella is expanding its reach, targeting events and lifestyle.

The Lands by Capella

The Lands by Capella will open to the public on 2 February 2026, kicking off with five light-filled event venues. Designed to accommodate everything from black-tie galas to weddings and product launches, each destination revealed in the first phase offers a thoughtfully curated approach to contemporary glamour; think soaring 4.6 metre-tall ceilings, rich architectural details and flexible configurations that can be adapted to suit any aesthetic.

At the heart of the new events precinct lies the Capella Ballroom. A grand 536m² space where restored arched cedar windows frame iconic glimpses of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Ballroom is the very definition of Harbourside luxury. According to Capella, the ballroom combines historic charm with state of the art technology and the hotel group’s renowned service, creating the breathtaking setting for large scale events. Just grab 400 of your closest friends and you’re on your way.

Elsewhere, you’ll also find the Liberty Ballroom, a 353m² space characterised by an abundance of natural light and a sense of quiet luxury, alongside Capella’s smaller suites The Botanist, The Surveyors, and The Explorers. Of course, all events are backed by Capella staff and menus crafted by Executive Chef Gabriele Taddeucci. Event enquiries and bookings for all venues are now open, with site inspections available within the coming weeks.

Future Development

Crucially, the opening of the new event spaces marks only one stage in The Lands by Capella development. Marc von Arnim, general manager of Capella Sydney confirmed that the destination will expand and evolve over the coming months, culminating in a true one-of-a-kind destination.

“We are proud to reintroduce this iconic building to Sydney in a way that honours its past and redefines its future,“ von Arnim said. “There is nothing else like this in Australia–a collection of event spaces that balance heritage and luxury with such care and refinement. The early response to bookings reflects the appetite for something truly special–we’re thrilled to bring that to life.“

According to Capella, the full transformation of the Department of Lands building to The Lands by Capella will be complete by late 2026. When fully open, the precinct will comprise more than 10,000 square metres of curated experiences, from restaurants and bars to stunning new experiential retail and cultural activations.

Chief among them will be The Sandstones Club by Florence Guild, an exclusive and modern members club. Set to open in February 2026, The Sandstones Club will reportedly focus on optimised living through health, wellness, connection, thought leadership, culture and belonging.

“It’s exciting to see new venues open with such thoughtfulness in the heart of the city,“ Melissa Brown, CEO of the Australian Business Events Association said. “There is always a need for more and different styles of venues to suit the broad range and scope of business events. It is wonderful to see historic buildings renewed and adapted to enhance the quality of meetings and event experiences.“

Design and Launch

Designed by Hassel Studio, The Lands by Capella completes the luxury hotel groups’ vision for Sydney, helping to blend five-star hospitality with contemporary lifestyle offerings. As David Tsang, CEO of Pontiac Land Group explained, The Lands not only celebrates and respects the building’s heritage, it also creates a more publicly accessible space.

“At Pontiac Land Group, we believe heritage is meant to be experienced, not just preserved,“ he said. “Through our partnership with Hassell and in collaboration with key stakeholders — NSW Government, City of Sydney, and First Nations advisors — we have meticulously reimagined the former Department of Education and Department of Lands into a thriving destination that showcases Australia’s rich heritage, art, and culture, while seamlessly integrating modern luxury and sophistication.“

The announcement comes just months after Capella Sydney was named as the best hotel in Australasia by the World’s 50 Best Group, following on from a string of national honours courtesy of Travel + Leisure. The first phase of The Lands by Capella will open to the public on 2 February 2026, with further development to follow in the coming months.

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