Sydney Garrard Turntable Factory Conversion

The Sydney Garrard Turntable Factory conversion represents one of our most comprehensive restoration projects. This 1892 industrial building, once used for manufacturing radio quality transcription turntables and jukeboxes, now stands as a contemporary living space that honours its rich industrial heritage.

The Challenge

When owners Scott and Pamela acquired this magnificent example of late 19th century industrial architecture, it had been abandoned for nearly two decades. Despite having endured several floods and minor fires, the structure remained largely intact with its iconic brick walls, exposed cedar beams, and soaring 7-metre ceilings preserving their character.

The 400-square-metre space required careful demolition of decades of additions whilst preserving the original structural elements. The building presented numerous technical challenges:

• Cedar beams covered in a century of paint and grime

• A fascinating transition from clay bricks to kiln-fired bricks within the same walls

• Original factory roofline with deteriorated timber-framed highlight windows

• Structural irregularities including sagging windows and settlement issues

• Integration of modern elements including a pool area

Our Approach

Rather than simply applying new finishes, our work involved comprehensive restoration that preserved the building's authentic character whilst creating a contemporary living environment.

Cedar Beam Restoration

The ancient cedar beams required a specialised approach to remove contaminated paint without creating environmental hazards or damaging the deeply grained wood. After initial water blasting, we developed a process using flexible polishing brushes before applying a four-stage penetrative sealer, preserving the character and patina of these magnificent structural elements.

Brick Preservation

The transition from clay bricks to kiln-fired bricks within the same walls revealed the history of Sydney's industrial development. Rather than concealing this feature, we highlighted it through appropriate sealing techniques that respected the different characteristics of each brick type whilst providing necessary protection.

Specialised Structural Work

The original factory highlight windows required both finishing and structural repairs, as many had sagged significantly over time. Our approach preserved these elements rather than replacing them, maintaining the building's authentic character whilst ensuring structural integrity.

New Elements Integration

For the new construction elements, including the pool area, we applied finishes that complemented the original features without attempting to mimic their age. The tallowwood shiplap timber over the pool area received a natural lanolin-based coating that enhances the grain whilst providing exceptional moisture resistance in this challenging environment.

The Results

The completed project stands as a testament to thoughtful restoration that balances historical preservation with contemporary functionality. The cedar beams now showcase their natural beauty whilst maintaining their historical character. The brick walls tell the story of Sydney's industrial development through their visible transition from clay to kiln-fired construction. Modern elements integrate harmoniously without competing with the original architecture.

The project received the Urban Restoration Award for Excellence in 2024, recognising the exceptional craftsmanship and preservation approach that transformed this industrial space into a distinctive contemporary home.