Originally a warehouse, made over in the 1930s into offices, Reid House is located in the centre of Sydney’s CBD. The client wanted to return some elegance and historic connection to the building, especially the awning, shopfronts and foyer.

Listed as a heritage item by the City of Sydney, HAA was able to advise the client and guide them in navigating a successful outcome through the City Council’s Heritage Floor Space Scheme. The funding achieved through the sale of floor space allowed our client to achieve more than they expected.

Reid House now stands proud in an area of the city being increasingly revitalised. Three shopfronts echo the original Edwardian design. The office entrance, foyer and adjacent shop recall the 1930’s conversion. The original structure of the awning has been revealed, and previously metal window replacements have been replaced to match the originals.

The client, a strata body, has seen great benefits from the building work, the results improving the value of the floor space. Reid House received an Architecture Award for Heritage in the 2021 Architecture Awards of the NSW Chapter of the AIA.

Conservation Planning, Heritage Floor Space Management, Design, Documentation, Contract Administration.

Reid House is a load-bearing timber structure of 11 storeys, encased by a brick envelope. It is one of the tallest timber structures in the Southern Hemisphere. It was completed 108 years before its nearest competitor in Australia.