NEW CAFE FOR HYDE PARK
09 Dec 2015
Sydney plans to create a new café in Hyde Park as part of ongoing transport works. The new premises will create greater accessibility to Museum Station while preserving the historical character of the area.
A stylish open-plan café will replace the old one in Hyde Park South as part of work to make Museum Station more accessible.
The new café’s glass frontage will help preserve the heritage look of the brick station entrance at the corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool streets.
The café will be built by the City of Sydney as part of works by Transport for NSW to improve access to the station by installing new lifts to connect the station entry, concourse and platforms. The work required demolition of the old café by TFNSW.
“The new cafe and improved access from Museum Station will be welcome additions to Sydney’s favourite park,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“The design sits well with the heritage setting and will allow for better access to the park, Pool of Reflection and Anzac War Memorial, which will soon be upgraded to include a water feature and education centre on the western side.
“The café’s beautiful design will make it a great place to enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat.”
Unlike the former café attached to the rear of the station, the reimagined version will be set back to allow better access and sight lines to the park and Anzac War Memorial, where a water cascade will be added by the NSW Government to realise the architect’s original design.
Designed by Andrew Burns Architects, the new café will cover a similar area to the original but provide more appealing indoor and covered seating.
The project includes
- Two unisex toilets, with one accessible to park users
- Seating for around 90 people
- A lift lobby with new paving
- More accessible routes from Museum Station to the Anzac War Memorial
- New garden beds, retaining walls and stairs
- Paving in the café and station surrounds
After completing the café, the City will invite expressions of interest from prospective operators.
Museum Station has State Significance as Australia’s first underground station.
Hyde Park is Australia’s oldest park and a culturally significant heritage landscape. It is listed by the National Trust and as a heritage item in the City of Sydney Local Environment Plan and State Heritage Register.
