The Mint
Formerly the ‘Rum Hospital’ and the Sydney Royal Mint, this site is rich in history
Sunday 3 November 2024
10am–5pm
About the building
Building information
The Mint contains one of the oldest surviving public buildings in the Sydney CBD. Built in 1816, it was originally the southern wing of a general hospital for convict patients, and was known as the ‘Rum Hospital’, built by contractors in exchange for a monopoly on the importation of 45,000 gallons of rum to the colony. The site also includes the important remains of the Sydney branch of the Royal Mint, in operation from 1855.
The Mint closed in 1926, and throughout the 20th century the buildings – ignored and largely forgotten – were listed for demolition. However, they were to survive into the 21st century when the Historic Houses Trust of NSW, recognising their historic significance, began the Mint project.
The Mint was adapted for its present use in 2004. The project involved transforming this unique cultural asset into a fully functioning contemporary space including accessible public spaces, display areas, offices and meeting rooms for staff, venue hire and retail areas. The project set new benchmarks for adaptive reuse in Australia and around the world.
Led by Richard Francis-Jones and Elizabeth Carpenter of FJMT Architects, it was the first project to receive both the Australian Institute of Architects’ Sir John Sulman Medal for Outstanding Public Architecture, and the Francis Greenway Award for Conservation. The Mint was also awarded the Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage, and was nominated in the UK’s Building Services journal as one of the ‘top 30 ground-breaking buildings of the world’.
Twenty years on – as a significant heritage site, a public space and workplace – The Mint continues to inspire and delight. Skilfully weaving old and new, it has been successfully situated in both a historic and a contemporary context. Today, The Mint is home to Museums of History NSW’s head office, the Caroline Simpson Library, the Bullion Store and cafe and various venue hire spaces.
Visitors can explore the rooms of the former hospital where the assistant surgeon and other staff once lived and examine the archaeological remains of the Sydney Royal Mint in the courtyard and rear buildings.
1816, with the adaptive reuse completed in 2004
ArchitectOriginal architect unknown
Adaptive reuse by fjcstudio (formerly FJMT)
AlterationsCaptain Edward W Ward and Joseph Trickett, 1855; FJMT and Clive Lucas Stapleton & Partners, 2004
AwardsRoyal Australian Institute of Architects NSW Awards – Sulman Medal for Public Architecture, 2005
Royal Australian Institute of Architects NSW Awards – Greenway Award for Conservation, 2005
Royal Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Awards) – Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage, 2005
Find out more about this building here
The Mint
10 Macquarie Street, Sydney
Entry details
The ‘Rum Hospital’ building, courtyard and entrance of the rear building, offices and Caroline Simpson Library
10am–5pm
4.30pm
Need to Know
Accessible featuresThere is a ramp to the side of the Rum Hospital building that provides access to the ground floor. The first floor is accessed via stairs only. The courtyard and coining factory building at the rear are accessible. Due to the heritage nature of the site, there are uneven surfaces throughout the site and Rum Hospital building
Accessible toilets are available hereToilets availableNo parents room, no baby change facilities
Photography allowedFood and drink availableCafe: Bullion Store. Members receive 10% off food and drink
Talks, tours and more
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