Wake Up Sydney

    • Superbly located large hostel in former department store
    • 509 Pitt St, Haymarket Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
    Quality
    Property Description

    Situated in the heart of the stunning CBD, our Sydney Central location is truly one-of-a-kind.

    Brimming with character and fresh, modern interiors, enjoy a variety of accommodation options to suit any travel style. Be it private or shared accommodation, there is something for everyone. Step inside and enjoy our all-inclusive daily activities, on-site bar, restaurant, café, travel agency & nightclub.

    When you book right here at wakeup.com.au, enjoy the best prices, complimentary barista-made coffee, free high-speed wifi and more.

    Stay your way & discover why we've been crowned 'Australia's Best Hostel 2020'.

    Wake Up! is conveniently located in the centre of Sydney, directly opposite Sydney Central railway station. It is also in walking distance of the Sydney CBD, Darling Harbour and many other world-famous attractions…as well as lots of shops, restaurants and bars.

    Room types include private rooms (Ensuite, double, twin/triple, quad) & shared (4,6,8 or 10 bed dorms)

    Brimming with quirky details, step inside and explore your brand-new private suite. Enjoy bright and open spaces, comfortable furnishings, modern en-suite, and quality features including a flat-screen TV, bath towels and more.

    Chill out on new bunks with like-minded travellers & adventure seekers. Our shared rooms all feature secure in-room lockers, linen, and high-speed wifi, along with full access to our other perks including complimentary yoga and personal training.

    Female-only rooms available.

     

    Transportation
    Email

    askup@wakeup.com.au

    Phone

    +61 (0) 2 9288 7888

    Address

    509 Pitt St, Haymarket Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

    Location
    Original Use
    Sector
    Originally

    Marcus Clark Emporium (Department Store)

    Original Building Style
    Built

    1906

    Adaptation

    Army Servicesmans Club (1940) Offices (1950s) Hostel (2002)

    Built Century
    Building History Description

    Source : Heritage Listing & Heritage Impact Report Orwell & Peter Phillips Architects 1999

    The site of Wake Up Sydney up to 1903 was used as Government Paddocks, the old "Toll Bar", Police Station ("Round House"), Civil Ambulance & Transport Brigade and the Benevolent Society Asylum.

    Coinciding with the development of Central Railway, Marcus Clark & Co built their emporium (department store) & head offices on the site in 1905-06 designed in a Federation Free Classical style by James Nangle and built by "day labour". The building had a basement, ground floor & 7 upper floors and was Sydney's tallest building at the time at nearly 150' (46m) high, with hardwood floors on steel girders & ironbark posts and featuring stamped metal ceiling sheets imported from England by Wunderlich. The basement was used as the carpets department plus customers dining room & strong room;  the ground floor for mercery, Manchester & customers refreshment room; first floor as a counting house & offices; and upper floors for other departments, employees dining room & library. Public entries on George & Pitt streets & cart docks on Pitt St. The building also pioneering fire protection including sprinklers, fireproof doors & fire escape ladders.

    Marcus Clarke Ltd believed that Railway Square would become the centre of Sydney's shopping district but seems to have under-estimated the impact that changes to Sydney's transport system would have on Railway Square in the 1920's. The extension of the railway to Wynyard and Town Hall increased business around these new underground stations at the expense of Railway Square and Haymarket and as a result Marcus Clark vacated he building in 1928.

    It was converted during the 1940s for use as a Servicemans Club to billet servicemen on leave, with Ground floor lounge, first floor dining, 2nd floor recreation, 3rd-6th floors bedrooms/barracks, & 7th floor staff bedrooms. Adapted again in the late 1950s as the State Lottery Office and the Public Transport Commissioners offices, then converted in 1983 to the State Rail Authority to the design of  Lawrence Nield & Partners at which time, unfortunately, many of he original features were removed in the cause of modernisation.

    Between 1999-2002, the building was again adapted this time into the Millcrist Backpackers hostel accommodation to a design by craDesign Associates. It was renamed Wake Up Sydney in [xxxx]

     

     

     

    Heritage Status

    Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 I848

    Heritage URL

    https://apps.environment.nsw.gov.au/dpcheritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=2424220

    Sustainability Diagram

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