Constructed between 1926 and 1946, the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings are iconic landmarks in Canberra's City Centre. Originally designed as the city's premier retail trader's block, they defined the early character of Civic as the gateway to Australia's national capital.
These heritage-listed buildings are known for their historical architecture, but the buildings' ownership structure, with no common management body, has led to challenges in maintaining a consistent appearance. Around 100 separate properties make up the four commanding buildings we see from the street – and some of these have even been passed down through families for generations.
Ravi Sharma is a Sydney Building property owner who has a generational connection to his section of the building on Northbourne Avenue. He is also the operator of Reload Bar and Games – the venue known for the Tardis, made famous by the Dr Who TV show, out the front.
“My family has had a long association with the buildings. My father bought our section of the building back in the 1980s, my uncle ran a restaurant in it – and my grandfather was a commercial tenant in another part of the building way back in the 1950s,” Ravi explains.
Ravi Sharma – Sydney Building property owner and business operator.
A grants program by the ACT Government is supporting building owners to repaint their façades, with all owners having received a grant offer to repaint their façades in line with the cream and white colour scheme in the buildings’ Conservation Management Plan.
Façade repainting is underway and has now been completed in sections of both buildings.
Ravi says he is grateful for the support he’s receiving through the Façade Repainting Grant Program.
“I certainly have an interest in the work that the City Renewal Authority is doing for the buildings and surrounds. We’ve already benefited from work on the Northbourne verges, streetscaping in the laneways, improved lighting and now the repainting is underway.
“It all adds up to a much-improved offering for patrons and visitors to these beautiful historic buildings which in turn will help businesses to improve the quality of their offerings.”
Freshly painted façade of Reload Bar and Games – The section of building owned by Ravi Sharma.
A final round of feedback on the legislative process for the buildings’ Revitalisation Plan is open to gather comments from property owners and those interested in the buildings' preservation before legislation is tabled with the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The legislation will require Sydney and Melbourne Building property owners to repaint their façades in line with the Revitalisation Plan.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
