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Prefecture 48
Prefecture 48
From bustling produce market warehouse and creamery to revitalised Japanese culinary precinct
About the building
Prefecture 48 is a Japanese dining precinct that breathes new life into the heritage-listed Foley Brothers warehouse at 230 Sussex Street. The three-storey, six-venue culinary precinct includes four restaurants, a whisky bar and a patisserie.
The rare, mostly intact warehouse complex represents the 19th-century trade and transport history of the Darling Harbour wharf area. It was constructed in 1885–86 for produce merchants Foley Brothers, who were one of the largest colonial produce and butter traders in Australasia. The warehouse comprises two brick buildings separated by a courtyard and accessed by a cobbled cartway from Sussex Street. The Foley Brothers’ creamery occupied the whole top floor, and the cool chambers were fitted with the latest in refrigerating machinery for storing butter, cheese, bacon and other produce during Sydney’s hot summer months.
After Foley Brothers, the buildings were occupied by various tenants, including the NSW Creamery and Butter Company, auctioneers and commission agents, picture framers and clothing manufacturers.
In 2023, Bates Smart restored and adapted the former warehouse into Prefecture 48 for Azabu Group. Each of the six venues has a design narrative defined by the food and beverages it serves and inspired by Japanese cuisine, culture, art, fashion and design. Among the venues, the Dear Florence patisserie features a light, airy, frosting-inspired aesthetic to evoke sweet treats. Ibushi has a woven artwork that resembles wisps of smoke from the robata grill, surrounded by charcoal-inspired walls. The Whisky Thief bar is clad in a copper material reminiscent of whisky stills, while tattoo art–inspired wrapped panels add depth and character. Garaku, a contemporary kaiseki restaurant, is distinguished by digital pixel panel artwork. The intimate eight-seat Omakase is finished in dark timber, paying homage to the heritage of the original warehouse. FIVE, an ingredient-led modern Japanese restaurant inspired by the ethos of wabi-sabi, embraces a refined aesthetic that celebrates the beauty of natural materials and imperfection.
Building info
Built
1886
Architect
Original architecture by Reuss and Nott, Architects
Contemporary work by Bates Smart
Awards
World Interior News (WIN) Awards – Silver Winner, Hospitality Interiors: Restaurants & Cafes, 2025
Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and New Zealand (IESANZ) Lighting Awards – Lighting Design Award of Excellence (NSW), 2025
Acknowledgements
Prefecture 48 is brought to you by Azabu Group, with the support of valued partners including Bates Smart, Electrolight, Studio Ongarato and Buildcorp, alongside a broader network of collaborators.
Prefecture 48
230 Sussex Street, Sydney
Entry details
Private access to the six venues: Dear Florence, Ibushi, Garaku, Omakase by Prefecture 48, FIVE and Whisky Thief
10am–5pm
4.45pm
Need to know
Accessible featuresThe main entry is via the heritage cartway from Sussex Street. This cobbled surface has some uneven paving. Volunteers will be available to assist where required. There is lift access to the first and second levels. However, the upstairs area of Whisky Thief – Thief’s Loft – is accessible via stairs only. For guests unable to access the upper level, the ground floor of Whisky Thief offers a similar layout and interior experience, ensuring a comparable atmosphere
Toilets availableAccessible toilets on all levels
Photography allowedPlease follow signage on site
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