Old police station in Rozelle for lease, original cells included
Many small businesses often look for a building to rent that has an arresting design and features that will keep employees lingering at work.
One commercial building up for lease on Darling Street in Rozelle, in Sydney’s inner west, fits that bill – it’s the suburb’s old police station.
While it hasn’t seen active duty for some time, the renovated building has retained much of its original interiors, including three holding cells, complete with barred windows.
This comes at a time when offices on the fringes of the city have some of the highest rental growth in the land, as younger and more progressive companies search out spaces with character.
The interior of the building includes the original cells, which have been used as office space by previous tenants. Photo: Supplied
Ray White Commercial Inner West principal Tim Morrison, who is marketing the Rozelle building, said it was a unique opportunity for the right business.
“This is a significant and historical local landmark which now has an artistic feel to it with a blend of old and new interiors,” Mr Morrison said.
“It’s a good central Rozelle location – it’s got exposure to Darling Street and it’s got a mixture of offices in those rooms, then an open-plan office upstairs and warehousing space.”
While three of the rooms retain the old barred windows, it’s been renovated to ensure the space is more inviting than its previous incarnation, and with much more light.
The former police station was sold for $1.87 million in 2013 to a local business. It has served as the headquarters for children’s charity Variety, and the last tenant was beauty directory company BeautyHeaven.
The property has 450 square metres of internal space and is located about four kilometres from the Sydney CBD. Photo: Supplied
Mr Morrison said it was perfect for a creative office or showroom-warehouse space.
“It could be someone with a retail bent because it’s in the midst of the retail section of Darling Street and it’s got rear car parking and warehouse space,” he said.
“But it’s really got to be someone specific rather than a general retailer. The front part of the building facing Darling Street is where the rooms are – you don’t walk into a big shop.”
The rent for the 450-square-metre space is about $3000 a week, Mr Morrison said.
“The property is on a strategic corner location, only metres from Victoria Road and is approximately four kilometres from the Sydney CBD.
“The offering is close to transport facilities and is surrounded by Rozelle’s vibrant retail precinct including restaurants, cafes, art galleries and specialty boutiques.”
