32-36 York Street, Sydney

Milligan Group proposed the extensive refurbishment of 32–34 York Street, together with the demolition of 36 York Street, to enable a new multi‑storey mixed‑use development on this prominent CBD site. Although the buildings were not individually listed as heritage items, their location within a City of Sydney CBD Special Character Area triggered statutory requirements for heritage and archaeological assessment as part of the Development Application (DA) process.

The site lies within the broader catchment of the Tank Stream and formed part of the early colony’s military district. York Street was originally home to dwellings associated with soldiers of the First Fleet, giving the site high archaeological potential to contain evidence of Sydney’s earliest urban development.

GML was engaged by Milligan Group to undertake heritage assessments and an archival recording of the 32–34 York Street building. Our scope included preparation of an archaeological assessment, archaeological research design, Aboriginal due diligence, and specialist advice to support Milligan’s application for a Section 140 excavation permit—an essential step in securing DA approval.

During archaeological monitoring conducted alongside civil contractor Ceerose, GML identified intact early to mid‑nineteenth‑century water management infrastructure, including sandstone box drains and a hand‑cut sandstone well. The works also recovered artefact assemblages that documented the changing occupation and use of the site over time.

GML subsequently prepared a comprehensive excavation report, analysing the archaeological remains and artefacts in detail. The report satisfied the conditions of the Section 140 permit and supported the successful issue of the project’s Occupation Certificate.

The site has now been transformed into York & Co, an adaptive reuse project by SJB that contributes to the continuing layers of heritage in Sydney’s CBD.