As a member of the Waverley Arts, Culture and Creativity Advisory Committee, our Senior Place Strategist, Aleema was got to check out, first-hand the recently revitalised Boot Factory, in Bondi Junction at a recent committee meeting.
First built in 1892, the Victorian industrial building sat vacant for over 15 years until a three-year transformation led by local architects Archer Office, turned it into a thriving mixed-use facility, centrally designed as a Knowledge and Innovation Hub. After 80 odd years as a shoe factory, the building was almost demolished, but it was saved by a community campaign and stabilisation works in 2013.
The recently reopened building also features flexible community spaces, an upgraded community centre, a new café and enhanced courtyard. We think it's a fantastic example of adaptive reuse that is anchored in place and in particular, we love its new civic space, known as the “cloud room”, that occupies its entire top floor.
We’re proud of Aleema for contributing to the Waverly LGA’s ongoing development of quality, diverse and creative arts and culture, via her Committee position.
Check out more about the Boot Factory here.