Boot Factory restoration reaches one-year milestone 

26 April 2022

Waverley Councils’ restoration of the much loved Boot Factory building in Spring Street, Bondi Junction, is only a few months away from completion, with demolition of the external courtyard area now complete.

A temporary roof structure has been installed over the building to allow internal structural and fit-out works to commence.

The Council is transforming the former shoe making factory, and the adjacent Mill Hill Centre, into a civic innovation hub of the future.

The Boot Factory restoration will support innovation and ensure Waverley keeps pace with the knowledge economy.

Restoration works at the Boot Factory began in April 2021 and are expected to be completed in late June, weather and COVID-restrictions permitting. Works at the Mill Hill Centre are expected to be completed in July.

Our upgrade includes:

  • Both buildings will be connected, providing an opportunity to share facilities including the lift.
  • A café at the Spring Street entry to the precinct with street and courtyard presence.
  • Upgraded Community and Seniors Centre
  • Flexible community spaces on the ground floor and top floor of the Boot Factory and the Mill Hill Community Centre
  • Upgrades to Norman Lee Place

Our head contractor, Lloyd Group has stripped the Boot Factory building completely and temporary structural works have been installed. The Mill Hill Community Centre has also been internally stripped with fit out and services rough-in commencing.

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said Llyod Group and the Council’s major projects team are working hard to complete works following weather delays, close contact isolation requirements and supply chain issues.

“Despite these challenges, the project is progressing well and our transformation of the Boot Factory building, Mill Hill Centre and Norman Lee Place is taking shape,” Mayor Masselos said.

“Our Community Strategic Plan notes the community’s wish for Waverley to be a “knowledge-driven, innovative and digitally connected community”, and the Boot Factory helps fulfil this by providing opportunities to support innovation and ensure we keep pace with the knowledge economy.

“The Boot Factory’s Innovation and Knowledge Hub will be a place to nurture ideas to further transform Waverley into a ‘smart city’ of the future. The Hub’s Steering Group has, and will continue, to assist in guiding the development of the Hub and its policies and practices.”

The Boot Factory was completed in 1892 by William Sidaway and Son and was last restored by Council in 1986. It has been vacant since 2007, and in 2013, Council undertook significant remedial structural works to ensure the stability of the building until an alternative use could be found.

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