An award-winning café featuring alfresco dining for up to 90 people is now open in a beautifully landscaped corner of Hyde Park.
The City of Sydney built the new café, paved courtyard, terraced gardens, bathrooms, paths, and park entryways after the former kiosk was demolished to make way for significant accessibility upgrades by Transport for NSW at the neighbouring Museum train station.
The City of Sydney worked with Transport for NSW to ensure a smooth transition between the new lift lobby, the station and the café. A new accessible path also connects Museum station to Hyde Park and the Anzac Memorial.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the new café and landscaped areas are sensitive to the heritage of the site and transition visitors from the busy street to a tranquil park setting.
"What a beautiful place to get away from the hustle and bustle and to sit and enjoy one of Australia's most treasured parks," the Lord Mayor said.
"It was an extremely challenging project to build over an operating train station, and I am proud to see the architects – Andrew Burns – have been recognised with a prestigious award for their design excellence.
"What's been achieved is a striking building nestled amongst beautiful, tiered landscaping with numerous nods to the history of the site, including golden sandstone. This café will provide a quiet place for lunch while being just metres from the city."
The project was designed by Andrew Burns Architecture, Turf Design Studio and Environmental Partnership and built by Structus and QMC Group.
The Hyde Park café won a 2022 NSW Architecture Award for small project architecture.
The café and landscaping project is one of a series of Hyde Park upgrades totalling more than $20 million carried out over the last eight years.
The City of Sydney also upgraded the Pool of Reflection, replaced unhealthy trees around the Archibald Memorial Fountain, created better pathways and improved access to services for events held at the park.
The café operator has fit out the space on the corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth streets and named it Hydeaway.
The Lord Mayor will officially open the building at 10am on Thursday 17 November. The event features free coffee and live music.
