The Gunnery, Woolloomooloo, NSW

Sector

Office & Commercial

Location

Sydney, NSW

Minerva was proud to play a key role in the restoration and transformation of The Gunnery, a heritage-listed building in Woolloomooloo, Sydney.

This once-in-a-lifetime project required innovative fire safety solutions to be put in place – while still respecting the historic fabric of the building.

Key challenges:

The Gunnery, built circa 1900, features a beautiful masonry façade and timber structure, creating a unique challenge in balancing modern fire safety codes with heritage preservation.
The most complex aspect was exposing the timber structure while ensuring it complied with current fire safety standards.
Coordination between heritage, architectural, and structural teams was essential to maintain the integrity of the building while upgrading fire safety.

Key solutions:

Minerva collaborated closely with the structural engineer and builder to rectify and strengthen the exposed structural timber, meeting the required Fire Resistance Level (FRL).
We partnered with a specialist intumescent paint manufacturer to protect key timber and steel elements, providing vital fire protection while maintaining the building’s character.
Flexible fire safety solutions were implemented to accommodate varying uses and population numbers within the building.

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Key outcomes:

The Gunnery has been restored as a functional, safe space that retains its unique historical features, including expanded galleries, rent-free studios, and full universal access.
This transformation project was underpinned by a 35-year sublease, ensuring future generations can enjoy this landmark for years to come.

This once-in-a-lifetime project required innovative fire safety solutions to be put in place – while still respecting the historic fabric of the building.