Yirranma Place
Restored former church reimagined as a social purpose precinct for philanthropy.
10am–5pm
About the building
Building information
Established by the Paul Ramsay Foundation and opened in 2022, Yirranma Place was created as a precinct for social purpose, bringing together like-minded organisations, social enterprises and people working for social change. It invites the wider philanthropic community to share space and ambition, becoming a place of promise and purpose. ‘Yirranma’ is translated from Gadigal to mean ‘many-create’, which indicates the purpose of the precinct – a place where people come together to create and connect in the neighbourhood.
Yirranma Place is the former First Church of Christ Scientist building, designed in the interwar Beaux Arts style by architect Samuel George Thorp and completed in 1927. SJB Architects and Cornerstone Group have restored and adapted the historical building to create contemporary and flexible work and event spaces, a rooftop terrace, and a cafe.
Original features of the building remain, such as signage, plaques, panels, and the almost century-old organ in the auditorium. The organ has been restored for use, including the cleaning of all 2,180 pipes.
Artworks from the Foundation’s core art collection are displayed in Blue Gum Hall, a welcoming arrival and meeting space. The collection focuses on contemporary First Nations women artists working in any medium.
At the south-eastern portico is a public art commission by artist, activist and Barkandji elder Uncle Badger Bates, who designed and created the iron gate entry and painted ceiling artwork.
1927
ArchitectPeddle, Thorp & Walker
AlterationsSJB Architects, 2021; Cornerstone Group, 2021
AwardsINSIDE World Festival of Interiors Awards – Winner, Large Workplace, 2022
AGDA Design Awards – Distinction Award, Brand Identity and Signage, 2022; Merit Award, Environmental Graphics, 2022
MBA Excellence in Construction Awards – Best Heritage Adaptive Reuse Building, 2022
Acknowledgements
From pastures privately owned by the Burdekin family, to a circus, a church and now a precinct for social purpose, Yirranma Place’s impact comes from those who work within it: Brave Foundation, Burraga Foundation, Community Resources, Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia, The Foyer Foundation, Global Sisters, Foundation for Young Australians (FYA), For Purpose Investment Partners, Justice Form Initiative, New South Wales Council of social Services (NCOSS), Philanthropy Australia, Primer, Shelter NSW, Smart Recovery, Social Enterprises Finance Australia, Two Good Co.,Youth Action, SEFA.
Find out more about this building here
Yirranma Place
262 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst
Entry details
South-eastern portico, Blue Gum Hall, Foundation offices (former auditorium), not-for-profit co-working space (former Sunday School), and the new level 2
10am–5pm
Members hour: MHNSW Members receive exclusive access from 9am–10am
4.30pm
Need to Know
Yirranma Place has been built with accessibility in mind. Only the level 2 ‘horseshoe’ is not accessible due to heritage restrictions
No photography in work spaces or of art
Cafe: Two Good Co
