Former Australian Army gymnasium at Manly’s North Head Sanctuary ready for sport and recreation use

August 9, 2024

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust is taking expressions of interests from professional operators to lease the former army gymnasium Building 17 at Manly’s North Head Sanctuary.

Part of the Barracks Precinct which features a range of 1930s Art Deco buildings surrounding the Parade Ground at North Head Sanctuary, the former army gymnasium Building 17 has been reinstated by the Harbour Trust - retaining its character and heritage - and is now ready for its next chapter.

Located on the south side of the Barricks Precinct, the two-level building features a multi-use court, two individual squash courts and original Australian hardwood floors.

The repair and upgrade works has seen an internal refurbishment of the building with the removal of hazardous materials, asbestos and installation of a new marine grade steel roof that incorporates recycled material and is highly thermal efficient. New roof spaces are now insulated to R5 standard which reduces heat and noise transfer to the occupied spaces and correspondingly reduces the electrical load on the new A/C system.

Upgrading and reusing heritage buildings in this way avoids the greater emissions associated with new buildings, such as use of materials, energy and waste. The introduction of clean energy systems, such as energy efficient led-lighting and roof-top solar array to Building 17 makes a difference with sustainability in mind.

Commenting on the opportunity, Harbour Trust Executive Director, Janet Carding advised “we are very excited to announce the refurbishment of former Army gymnasium Building 17 at North Head Sanctuary.

“The former gymnasium joins 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 from commercial to community, enhancing the value and utility of each space and place, and benefiting the local area.”

The buildings at the Barracks Precinct were built as part of a broader defence strategy to protect Sydney from potential attacks. After the Second World War the buildings became the Australian Army’s School of Artillery, where soldiers and officers were stationed for training, operations and costal defence duties. The former gymnasium, Building 17 is historically significant for its supporting role as the primary physical training facility for the gunners. It has social significance for its role in the training and development of the serving military personnel.

The departure of the Army from the Barracks Precinct in 1998 marked the end of its active military use.

The site’s environmental and historical value has since been conserved under the protection and management of the Harbour Trust.

This project was made possible by funding from the Federal Government for repairs and maintenance across the Harbour Trust sites.

Expressions of interests close on 23rd September 2024.

Click here for more information about the EOI on the Australasian Leisure Management Tenders page.

Images show interiors of the former army gymnasium Building 17 at Manly’s North Head Sanctuary. Credit: The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

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