New precinct for purpose-led organisations opens in Sydney
1 September 2021 at 3:48 pm
“We see the precinct as a real hub for local people, and we’ll be encouraging local school and community groups to use the open space”
Australia’s most generous philanthropic foundation, the Paul Ramsay Foundation, has announced plans to bring a new urban precinct in Darlinghurst, Sydney, to life.
Housed in a historic former Christian Science building, which has been architecturally restored by award-winning SJB architects, the precinct will be home to not-for-profit and philanthropic organisations when it opens in November.
The aim is to provide those organisations with a space for them to come together and collaborate on ways to tackle Australia’s biggest social problems.
After conversations with local Gadigal elders, Aboriginal groups and language experts, the precinct has been renamed Yirranma Place, which translates to a “place where many create”.
Paul Ramsay Foundation’s CEO, Glyn Davis AC, said the foundation had set out with a vision to create something more meaningful and permanent for the area after purchasing the site in 2019.
“Yirranma Place will be a contribution to the Australian for-purpose sector, a place where a diverse cross-section of people dedicated to breaking cycles of disadvantage can belong and work together on new ideas that bring hope for change,” he said.
Sitting alongside the precinct’s not-for-profit tenants will also be a social enterprise incubator, shared spaces for community use and a public gallery showcasing contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and design.
Social enterprise Two Good Co will be running the in-house café and concierge service
Rob Caslick, founder of Two Good Co, said that winning the tender to run hospitality was a fantastic opportunity to show how Two Good’s enterprise model can have a far-reaching impact for disadvantaged women.
“We see our partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation as a springboard to showcase this replicable model to other organisations who want their office catering and café service to make a real difference,” Caslick said.
Davis added that the foundation sees the precinct as being a real hub for local people and that they hope to encourage local schools and community groups to use the open space.
“Whether people come for coffee, to view the art or explore the digital exhibitions, meet with tenants or attend a seminar, we believe the precinct will become a focal point for innovative and creative solutions to intractable social problems,” he said.
Not-for-profit organisations wishing to inquire about tenancy at Yirranma Place can contact Tom Speakman at Mercer Property — tom@mercerproperty.com.au
