Traditional lands of the Bidiagal, Birrabirragal and Gadigal people
New South Wales
A new civic precinct has been formed by linking the Heritage-listed Boot Factory to the Mill Hill Centre, with upgrades to Norman Lee Place and a covered terrace on the top floor allowing the functions within both buildings to engage with the Bondi Junction context.
The Boot Factory has been adaptively reused to create a Community and Innovation Hub. While it seems counterintuitive to place a hub for innovation within a Heritage building, the scheme prioritises the creation of a series of flexible rooms, enhancing the qualities of the original building with natural light and ventilation. Rather than introduce soon-to-be redundant technologies, the design references the architecture of the Enlightenment to connect to the natural environment with a long-term view.
We are thrilled to have seen how the precinct has been embraced by community, with a wide array of council programs demonstrating the flexible programming potential of these new spaces.
The Boot Factory and Mill Hill Centre Precinct in Sydney’s Bondi Junction is an outstanding project that exemplifies the transformative power of adaptive reuse in regenerating our built environment. Â
Once considered for demolition, the historic factory and neighbouring property, a less-celebrated 1990s building, were imaginatively re-envisioned by ARCHER OFFICE with MATT DEVINE & CO. They delivered a precinct rich in community, environmental, and design outcomes. The project’s sustainability credentials are extensive and deeply integrated.  Â
Through Waverley Council’s recycling and waste program, demolition materials were meticulously sorted and redirected for reuse. Retained materials, exposed thermal mass, high-performance glazing, and shading devices enhanced energy performance. The new construction is fully electric, and supported by solar photovoltaics and ground source heat pumps, minimising operational emissions.  Â
The integration of biophilic design through landscape and planting initiatives improves urban ecology and stormwater management and creates nourishing indoor–outdoor experiences. Community access and amenity are paramount: flexible social rooms, public courtyards and gallery spaces enrich civic life. Â
Crucially, this project makes a strong case for the long-term social, economic, and environmental value of adaptive reuse. It embraces past, present and future, celebrating cultural heritage, delivering current community needs and anticipating future changes through a flexible, low-carbon, and inclusive design approach. Â
The Boot Factory and Mill Hill Precinct has created a civic hub that brings together community and Council programs within Bondi Junction. Archer Office were first commissioned to consider options for restoring the Heritage-listed Boot Factory building, with a brief to create a Community and Innovation Hub. The proposal joined the Boot Factory to the Mill Hill Centre, enabling amenities to be shared while creating a link at each level to create an integrated precinct with Council offices in proximity to community programs. The opening weekend demonstrated precinct activation, including bands playing on the stage of Norman Lee Place.
Tomek Archer, Design Architect
Carmen Blanco, Project Architect
Christine Lee, Project Manager
Josh Wrathall, Project Architect
Luke Pigliacampo, Project Architect
Asier Celaya, Graduate of Architecture
Partridge Structural, Structural Engineer
MATT DEVINE & CO, Heritage Consultant
Aspect Studios, Landscape Consultant
Partridge Hydraulic, Civil Consultant
Jensen Hughes, Access, BCA and Fire consultant
ADP Consulting, Services Consultant
Brendan Van Hek / Event Engineering, Artist
Earthscape, Arborist
Electrolight, Lighting Consultant
Elephants Foot, Waste Consultant
Extrablack, Wayfinding and Signage
GYDE Consulting, Town Planner
The Mack Group, Hospitality Design
MBMpl, Cost Consultant
Philip Chun, Certifier