Prefecture 48

Prefecture 48 transforms the Victorian Foley Brothers warehouse at 230 Sussex Street. It is an ambitious project that introduces a new dining precinct in Sydney’s Western CBD. Its design stacks six hospitality venues in the building’s compact footprint and unites them with an interior overlay inspired by Japan’s 47 prefectures. The warehouse was constructed in 1886. It is a rare example of “a modest warehouse, cartway and courtyard complex,” as cited on the State Heritage Inventory. It comprises two brick buildings – two- and three- storeys each – separated by a courtyard and accessed by a cobbled cartway from Sussex Street. Prefecture 48 carefully crafts a journey through this unique ensemble. The design organises four restaurants, a whiskey bar and a Japanese pâtisserie as a series of contemporary insertions within the heritage building fabric. Large structural and working elements from the warehouse remain intact; these include stonework, timber structure, masonry walls, and industrial cranks and equipment. The venues are distinct, but their fitouts are grounded by the theatrics of cooking, food and design, three elements artfully integrated to be enjoyed by diners. The arched cartway is the main axis through the front building. At ground level, ‘Ibushi’ immerses diners in a dark mix of textured timbers, soft fabrics and a sweeping woven artwork overhead, reminiscent of smoke from a robata grill. Across the cartway, the pâtisserie walls of ‘Dear Florence’ juxtapose Ibushi. They are plastered in white that looks glossed and dusted, like the whimsical desserts themselves. Behind the pâtisserie, the existing vertical circulation zone retains the stair and primary lift. A new lift core and amenities block sits at the back of building, offset from the external heritage walls, and lined with scorched timber using the shou sugi ban technique. Level 1 houses the theatrical ‘Garaku,’ with its dark, leathered stone dining bar and immersive wall artwork. A small private dining space and wine room also sit on this level. Above, Level 2 combines ‘Omakase’ and ‘Five.’ In Omakase, a timber screen and platform define the chef’s narrow presentation space, as well as the seating bar for eight diners. The edges of these elements are pulled away from the heritage brick. ‘Five’ is more spacious and occupies most of the level, with high ceilings that celebrate the building’s heritage timber structure. The two venues share back-to-back kitchens. This move promotes functional efficiency and sharing of resources, to minimise food waste. Back at ground level, ‘Whisky Thief’ occupies the two-storey building at the back of the courtyard. The bar is double-height and copper clad, like whiskey stills. Lounges are wrapped in a custom printed fabric patterned like Yakuza tattoos. Large art pieces and signage, both developed by Studio Ongarato, weave through every corner of Prefecture 48, to showcase Japanese art and pop culture. Repurposing buildings is essential to revitalising the city. Prefecture 48 contributes to Sydney at a site-specific scale; it brings to life the heritage Foley Brothers building, creating inviting spaces for the public to experience, socialise and enjoy.