A historic precinct in The Domain will be opened to the public for the first time, set to become an exciting new hospitality destination operated by The Grounds Group, with work set to commence in 2026.

Surrounded by some of Sydney’s most significant cultural and heritage landmarks, the Domain Gateway is a hidden heritage treasure. Once home to a gatekeeper’s cottage and horticultural workshop supporting the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the site will be sensitively transformed into The Grounds in The Domain, with works scheduled to begin in 2026.

The adaptive reuse of the site has been made possible through recent reforms to the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Act 1980, enabling long-term private investment to support Australia’s oldest scientific institution.

The Grounds Group is a boutique, Sydney-based hospitality operator known for creating experience-led venues in distinctive locations across the city, including The Grounds of Alexandria, The Grounds of the City and The Grounds Coffee Factory in Eveleigh.

Located at the gateway to The Domain and Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the precinct sits among landmark institutions such as the Art Gallery of NSW, St Mary’s Cathedral, the Registrar General’s Building and Hyde Park Barracks. The site comprises several buildings of varying heritage significance, including The Domain Lodge, a sandstone cottage dating back to 1835.

Following a change in the legislation, the 25-year agreement will unlock significant capital investment in this previously unused precinct, bringing it back into public use as a vibrant cultural and hospitality destination, while generating ongoing revenue to support the horticultural, scientific and educational work of Botanic Gardens of Sydney.

In January 2025, hospitality groups were invited to reimagine the site as a unique visitor attraction within one of Sydney’s most loved public spaces. A rigorous two-stage procurement process was conducted throughout 2025, recognising the Domain Gateway as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise a mothballed heritage site and return it to the community.

Acting Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Yasmin Catley said: “This is an exciting development for Botanic Gardens of Sydney, as the first lease of its kind to be offered on this historic site.

“The passing of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Amendment Bill 2024 allowed for more sustainable investment in capital and infrastructure for Botanic Gardens of Sydney, which will lead to better facilities and services for the people of New South Wales to enjoy this 200-year-old public institution.

“The proposed new development of The Domain Gateway is a fantastic example of the type of adaptive reuse that will continue to bring our heritage sites to life for future generations.”

Botanic Gardens of Sydney Chief Executive Simon Duffy AM said: “Botanic Gardens of Sydney is thrilled to announce these plans for the redevelopment of the Domain Gateway.

“The plans for the site will highlight the role of plants and our rich botanical history and will enrich the experience of locals and visitors to Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and The Domain.

“We are delighted to open this precinct to the public for the first time in its 190-year history to enhance our role in Sydney as a place to inspire enjoyment, learning and conservation of nature.”

The Grounds Group Founder and Director Ramzey Choker said: “At The Grounds, we’re truly excited to bring a touch of our magic to the Domain Gateway precinct, opening a space that has been largely inaccessible for nearly two centuries. This is a rare opportunity to welcome the public back into one of Sydney’s most historically significant locations, creating a hospitality experience that both respects its heritage and adds new life to the surroundings.

“Through this collaboration with Botanic Gardens of Sydney, we hope to craft a space where people can explore, learn, and enjoy the precinct in ways that haven’t been possible before. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment to celebrate the past while shaping the future of this remarkable site, and we can’t wait to see visitors make it their own.”