‘Commercial heart of the city’: After decades, one of Sydney’s ‘hidden’ landmarks could soon disappear

Tourists may think the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge are the beating heart of Sydney, but that’s not the case for many Sydneysiders. 

There is another heritage building smack-dab in the middle of the CBD that has captured the hearts of many – the Woolworths building in Town Hall.

Built in 1929 for the Bebarfalds furniture retailer, it was later leased to Woolworths, with the supermarket occupying the space for almost 100 years. It is now owned by the City of Sydney.

But now, the Sydney landmark is in danger of being demolished, due to fast-tracked plans for a new Town Hall Square that is predicted to cost well over $150 million.

Millions of locals and tourists alike stream past the unsuspecting Woolworths store, with just as many going in for their essentials – whether it be a reasonably-priced drink on a hot day, a band-aid for their aching feet from exploring the city all day, or getting their groceries before heading home after work. 

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“Demolition of the Woolworths building and a number of others would rip out what should remain the commercial heart of the city,” Paul Nicolaou, Executive Director of Business Sydney, told nine.com.au.

“Losing the commercial heart of the city, including the Woolworths outlet, would be a backward step when we need to encourage more people to live in the city.”

Nicolaou and Business Sydney call on New South Wales’ Premier Chris Minns to intervene and stop the City of Sydney’s plan for the site.

“With proper planning, there is every reason to think the CBD could support a permanent population of up to 300,000 people,” Nicolaou said.

“They will need the services that are currently found in the buildings set for demolition but could be lost forever.”  

One such small business is Australian Opal Cutters and Pearl Divers, owned by Jason Blaiklock.

The shop – located in Park House, next to the Woolworths building – has been in his family for four generations, alongside many other shoemakers, tailors, and craftsmen who have been conducting business in what was Sydney’s first “vertical mall”

Blaiklock and many other businesses impacted by the demolition plans formed the Save Our City Shops Alliance and are rallying to cancel it outright. 

“The proposed demolition would have a devastating impact on long-standing local businesses, workers and customers who rely on this precinct every day,” he told nine.com.au.

“If these buildings are demolished, established businesses like mine will be forced out, jobs will be put at risk, and customers will lose access to essential services they use every day.” 

Having created a campaign and website to call on the NSW Government to intervene in the plans, their website reads, “When you destroy a block, you don’t just lose a building; you lose a network of families, expertise, and decades of trust.”

The surrounding buildings and businesses have become integral to the lives of Sydneysiders, with many of them passionate about delaying or even cancelling the demolition, which was originally expected to be slated for 2035.

“Since 1930, Woolworths Town Hall has been a key part of the Sydney CBD, acting as a major economic driver that employs over 300 team members and brings vital foot traffic to surrounding small businesses,” a spokesperson from Woolworths Group told nine.com.au.

“With Woolworths as the CBD’s only full-line supermarket and BIG W as its only discount department store, this precinct is vital for giving residents, workers, and commuters access to affordable essentials as Sydneysiders face rising living costs.

“Like many of our customers and neighbours, we also share concerns about the disruption a major project like this would bring to the heart of the city.” 

However, Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore AO maintains this project will be beneficial for the future of Sydney.

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“Like other major cities around the world, we need large, lively, welcoming civic spaces for the growing number of people living in and visiting Sydney,” she told nine.com.au in a statement.

“Described as the city’s living room, a central, public square will be the heart of the city.” 

The new town square will be framed by George, Pitt and Park streets, with work beginning in 2027, focusing on upgrading the area between St Andrew’s Cathedral and the Sydney Town Hall with new paving, furniture and lighting.

She said plans for a civic square next to Town Hall date back to the 19th Century, with the project being “kept alive through each successive Council for more than 40 years

“While we have heard concerns from some specific vested interests in recent weeks, decades of planning, development and conversation leave me confident the community overwhelmingly supports this exciting project. 

“City building takes time. There will always be critics ready to rally against vision and transformation.” 

The proposed Town Hall Square is part of three the City of Sydney envisions as part of its future, with Circular Quay and Central Station also set to have their own squares.

Moore added, “We are confident any concerns will dissipate once this wonderful new civic space is complete and taken over by the community.”