A historic theater reborn as the city’s creative living room
At 1 Oxford Street, the 25hours Hotel The Olympia – opens its doors, bringing one of Sydney’s storied cultural landmarks into a new era. On the heritage site of the West Olympia Theatre and the Grand Pacific Blue Room, a neighbourhood hub emerges — charged with Bohemian energy, LGBTQIA+ heritage, and a come-as-you-are cosmopolitan vibe.
A Place with Soul — and Momentum
Straddling Paddington, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Kings Cross and Moore Park, The Olympia positions itself as the city’s open living room. “Not just an opening, but a cultural catalyst for Oxford Street’s next chapter,” says General Manager Jake Guilfoyle. The stance is clear: individuality, authenticity, personality — the 25hours DNA, translated for Sydney.
Rooms with a Filmic Pulse
109 guestrooms channel the building’s cinematic past through the archetypes “Dreamers” and “Renegades.” Historic details meet artworks by local talents such as Kubi Vasak, creating a dialogue between memory and the now.
Four Culinary Stages
Culinary Director Mitch Orr curates four distinctive venues that express Sydney’s global rhythm:
The Palomar – the celebrated London restaurant makes its Sydney debut with bold flavours from Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
The Mulwray – a cosy bar serving biodynamic wines and classic drinks; an intimate hideaway for long evenings.
Jacob the Angel – a ground-floor café offering specialty coffee and pastries from Lune Croissanterie; perfect for urban mornings.
Monica – the rooftop bar by Ennismore’s Carte Blanched Studio is a cultural playground inspired by 1960s Hollywood nostalgia. With live music, DJ sets and sweeping views across Sydney, it bridges glamour and modern rhythm.
All concepts were developed by London’s creative siblings Layo & Zoë Paskin.
Architecture as Collaboration
A triad of studios shaped the hotel: Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (urban transformation), Indyk Architects (craft and integrity) and Woods Bagot (human-centred design). The result is a building that threads city, history and scene together — strengthening Oxford Street’s cultural pulse.
“We want this street to be a celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture … The Olympia’s opening further cements its reputation as a world-class cultural destination.” — Clover Moore AO, Lord Mayor of Sydney
Community & Collaborations
With 100+ new jobs, local partnerships and a curated lifestyle ecosystem (including Sorry Thanks I Love You, Kreafunk, Soeder, Samova, Canvasco, Freitag), The Olympia is designed for travellers and locals alike — a vibrant, lived-in part of Sydney’s creative fabric.
The Olympia isn’t themed hospitality — it’s a mood: cinematic, urban, welcoming. A place where nightlife, art, cuisine and neighbourhood merge. Sydney gains a new layer of identity — with its doors wide open.
