Marlborough House to take on a new flavour

A landmark industrial site, known simply as Marlborough House, is set for a luxury revival, reimagined in a record-breaking deal.

Marlborough House

A historic warehouse in Sydney’s Surry Hills has been sold for $110 million, with plans to transform the site into a $500 million residential development. The buyer, developer Time & Place, has the backing of billionaire James Packer through his investment firm, NPACT.

The site, known as Marlborough House, sits on land of the Gadigal people and has been a significant part of Sydney’s history for more than a century. Built in two stages between 1914 and 1934, it originally served as the first production warehouse for the David Jones department store. The facility produced clothing, furniture, luggage, and homewares, employing up to 800 people at its peak.

The buildings are notable for their Chicago-esque architectural style, featuring large windows designed to maximise natural light and ventilation. In the 1970s, the site was converted into offices and creative studios, reflecting the evolving character of Surry Hills as it transitioned from an industrial hub to a vibrant cultural and residential district.

This is the first time in more than 50 years that the 3,413-square-metre property has changed hands. The site was previously owned by Orcades Investments, a private company that acquired it in 1972.

Time & Place plans to redevelop Marlborough House into 150 apartments, including 26 affordable dwellings. The development will involve adaptive reuse of the existing heritage-listed structure while incorporating a modern adjoining building.

“Our team is currently working through a planning application that takes into consideration and indeed celebrates the existing heritage overlay of Marlborough House through adaptive reuse of the existing building, alongside the addition of a new adjoining development that sits within the local planning controls,” said Time & Place founder Tim Price.

Price emphasised the benefits of preserving key elements of the original building while adapting it for contemporary living. “There is something so tactile about taking a building that already has so much history and repurposing it for the next 100 years,” he said.

Plans have been submitted to the New South Wales government under the State Significant Development pathway, which is designed to facilitate projects of substantial public interest. If approved, demolition is expected to begin in 2027, with the project set for completion by 2029.

Surry Hills, once a working-class suburb, has undergone a major transformation in recent years, emerging as one of Sydney’s most desirable locations. The area is now a mix of heritage architecture, trendy cafes, creative spaces, and high-end residential developments.

Time & Place’s investment in Marlborough House aligns with a broader wave of development in the area. Other major projects include Surry Hills Village by the Toga Group, which aims to further cement the suburb’s reputation as a hub for modern urban living.

The redevelopment of Marlborough House is one of several projects backed by James Packer’s investment firm, NPACT. Packer’s firm has also invested in other residential projects, including a luxury apartment development in Potts Point and a high-end transformation of a former nursing home in Melbourne’s east.

Time & Place, despite broader challenges in the construction sector, has successfully moved forward with several projects in recent months. These include approvals for a Manly shoptop development, a $150 million residential project in Glen Iris, and a 27-storey tower on Flinders Street.

With strong financial backing and a focus on preserving heritage while introducing modern living spaces, Time & Place’s vision for Marlborough House reflects the continued evolution of Sydney’s urban landscape. If completed as planned, the project will contribute to the growing demand for high-quality housing while respecting the rich history of Surry Hills.

Price hinted that this could be just the beginning of further investments in Sydney. “We are keenly assessing more opportunities within key suburbs of Sydney to deliver much-needed supply,” he said.

As planning moves forward, all eyes will be on Marlborough House to see how this iconic site transitions into its next chapter.