Sydney Water Board building reopens as five star hotel Primus Sydney
SYDNEY has a new five-star hotel — with the former Sydney Water building reopening as the Primus Hotel Sydney.
The 1939 heritage-listed building on Pitt St, designed by Nicholas Mackey and Henry Budden — who also designed the David Jones Elizabeth St building — is one of the last buildings completed before the outbreak of World War II.
Used as the headquarters of the then Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board — later to become Sydney Water, its grand interior was hidden away to all but its workers until it was sold in 2008.
Greenland International Hotels Group spent the last two years restoring its former glory, scraping away the tar that covered the skylights over the lobby, restoring the original tiles and fitting its balustrades with Italian marble.
The result is a seamless blend of modern finishes and Art Deco grandeur.
The rooftop, once used as a shooting range, is now a rooftop pool and bar, exclusive to guests.
There are hints of its history too, with Sydney Water’s insignia on the floor of the lobby entrance and the original bubblers left dotted throughout.
Open from December 22, rates for the 172 rooms start from $290.
Source: Wentworth Courier, Naomi White, 28th December 2015
