Oxford & Foley
Oxford & Foley, Darlinghurst
Oxford & Foley restores and adapts three groups of heritage buildings on the northern side of Oxford Street, between Hyde Park and Taylor Square. Together they make up about 40 per cent of the boulevard’s northern frontage, which allows a whole streetscape to be renewed at once. Within the City of Sydney’s Eastern Creative Precinct, the project brings cultural and creative space, contemporary workplace and retail back to a street long known for its culture, creativity and diversity.
A fine grain approach
Each group of buildings has its own character, from Federation Free Style facades to the former council offices, so each receives its own response. In the former council building, one side of the tiled heritage entry corridor is kept intact. A few precise openings connect the corridor to new retail and a through-site link.
Restoration and adaptation
Oxford Street facades and heritage shopfronts are retained and restored. New structure, services and thermal upgrades are concentrated on the secondary facades to Foley Street. New internal windows behind the original Oxford Street windows improve acoustic and thermal performance while keeping the heritage frames intact. New steel structure is clearly distinguished from the existing fabric. Heritage ceilings and floors stay exposed where possible, and services run exposed rather than through heritage ceilings.
A considered extension
A sculpted roof extension wraps down toward the existing parapets. It is highest at the centre of each block and lower at the corners, which reduces its presence from Oxford Street and gives a clear hierarchy with the heritage buildings below. Its stepped, modular form follows the level changes already created by the slope of Oxford Street. A varied palette of metal, glass and tone responds to the mix of materials in each heritage base. The new upper levels open to city views, with high curved ceilings and outdoor terraces.
From Oxford Street to Foley Lane
The site falls from Oxford Street to Foley Lane, so both frontages can be activated. Through-site links form arcade-like connections between street and lane. New food and beverage tenancies bring life to Foley Lane and make its pedestrian routes safer and more active.
A creative anchor
Dedicated cultural and creative space, delivered with the City of Sydney under its Cultural and Creative Space Program, is spread across the buildings. It is planned as open, shared space that spills into lobbies, links and cafes. With flexible workplace floors, it is intended to anchor the renewal of Oxford Street.
