Former defence buildings at Sydney's North Head set to be leased to the public

“The tranquil bushland setting makes this an ideal place for relaxation and respite, or for education and research facilities related to the natural environment,” said a spokesperson for the Harbour Trust, which manages the former School of Artillery site.
The facade of the former officers’ mess. Photo: Harbour Trust

The two buildings, in Manly’s 74-hectare North Head Sanctuary, have been protected from commercial uses until now. They were built as part of a network of coastal defences from Port Stephens to Port Kembla, and set up with anti-aircraft artillery and massive guns for firing on invading enemy ships as the key point in the defence of Sydney.

After World War II the buildings became the Australian Army’s School of Artillery, where gunners lived and trained from 1956 until their relocation to Victoria’s Puckapunyal, in 1998. Many of the buildings have since been restored and refurbished and leased to various operators. In 2007 the peninsula was opened to the public.

Businesses already at the picturesque site with its 90-metre sandstone cliffs, sand dunes, wetlands and rocky outcrops, include a sculpture gallery, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, a psychologists’ clinic, the Bella Vista Café, the College of Sport & Fitness, and various small workspaces and collaborative co-working spaces.

Artillery on the parade ground during WW2, with the mess building in the background. Photo: Harbour Trust

“North Head Sanctuary occupies 74 hectares with a mix of bushland and developed areas, including around 100 buildings on site, with not all buildings currently leased,” said the spokesperson.

“The current use in these buildings ranges from residential, to commercial tenancies and not-for-profit community partners who assist the Harbour Trust to achieve environmental aims.”

The officers’ mess is a 780-square-metre, two-storey, U-shaped building opposite the main barracks, along the parade ground’s western side. It contains a large ground-floor function room and 12 rooms on the first floor with shared bathrooms and lounges, as well as a commercial kitchen.

The parade ground today, with the two buildings bottom left. Photo: Harbour Trust

The adjacent officers’ annex comprises 20 rooms spread over 466 square metres on two floors with communal bathrooms  and utility rooms. There is the option to also lease an outdoor tennis court at the rear of the buildings and another smaller building nearby for storage or garages.

Potential tenants will need to satisfy the selection criteria, which includes consideration of the environmental and heritage impacts of their use, transport and parking requirements and service and infrastructure. They’ll have to state any proposed internal or external building alterations within their submissions.

With expressions of interest closing May 24, the leases will start in late 2017 for a maximum 25 years, with market rents expected to generate revenue for managing and improving the land.