North Head: Former Australian Army gym ready for its next mission
For decades, a gym in the army barracks on Sydney’s North Head resounded to the sounds of soldiers training to defend our coastline. Now, after being refurbished, it awaits the next chapter in its colourful history.
Manly
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A heritage-listed gymnasium, used by soldiers defending the Sydney coastline more than 80 years ago, is set to add another chapter to its colourful history.
The two-storey art deco brick building, part of the stunning former Australian Army barracks and School of Artillery on North Head, has just been refurbished by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
“Building 17” in the Barracks Precinct will now be leased to a private gym operator or fitness firm after the detailed repair and maintenance project, which included removing potentially harmful asbestos and lead-based paint.
Dating from the 1930s, the gym, which still has its original climbing ropes in place, is part of the army base located on North Head to help protect Sydney from potential attacks.
After World War II, it became the army’s School of Artillery, where soldiers and officers were stationed for training, and coastal defence duties.
In 1998, the army moved out and the land returned to public ownership.
The Harbour Trust has been refurbishing the buildings, as part of a long-term project to retain the character and heritage of the site, and leasing them out to a range of businesses and organisations.
Located on the south side of the precinct, near the spectacular parade ground and main barracks building, the gym has a full-sized basketball court, two squash courts, a first floor mezzanine level, changing rooms and office space.
Its beautiful original Australian hardwood flooring has been retained and a new marine grade steel roof has been installed along side new air-conditioning, solar panel and energy-efficient LED lighting.
Trust executive director Janet Carding said the former gym was now one of the many unique buildings “in our care faithfully reinstated for new uses”.
“Consideration of each building’s heritage and our conservation practices have breathed new life into these buildings, attracting a diverse range of tenants,” Ms Carding said.
“It’s a very beautiful sensitive area and we are being looking at ways that we can carefully activate this site so that it’s really part of the community and integrated into people’s lives.”
Ms Carding said the gym had been used sporadically since 1998 for film and TV location shoots and storage.
“As soon as we had funds available from the federal government to be able to upgrade the building, we wanted to make sure we could bring it back to something much closer to its original use.
“It’s now ready for a new occupant”.
The trust is now taking expressions of interest from professional operators to lease Building 17. Expressions of interest close on September 23.
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