Capitol Square

The traditional heritage facades conceal the extraordinary glass galleria with its restaurants, bars and entertainment and some 20 computer shops at Technocity.
Capitol Square was developed by First Scope Development Pty Ltd as a major component of the City of Sydney’s Capitol Theatre Heritage precinct.
The project restored a heavily degraded group of historic buildings on the site of the Colony’s original markets. The early town’s Hay Market was situated on the site, a name which is retained to-day for the larger Chinatown precinct of the city.
Bounded by George, Campbell, Hay St and the Capitol Theatre building, it includes the former Parker St, the Watkins Terrace group of buildings (730-742 George St), consisting of 5 shops (including the Parker St frontages), the former Palace Hotel and a former bank.
Redevelopment of the site involved the demolition of the buildings facing Parker St. The facades in George, Hay and Campbell Streets were retained. A new 5 storey building was constructed within this space, and a barrel vaulted galleria enclosed Parker St between the Capitol building and the Watkins Terrace block. In addition, a substantial excavation for the five storey underground car-park was completed.
An archaeological study was made of the historic site in an area that had been occupied by indigenous people for millennia and continuously by Europeans since the early months of 1788.