Woolstore 1888
Where Sydney’s Industrial Past Meets Contemporary Cool
Type: design hotel, heritage hotel
Vibe: lively
DNA: art & culture, industrial chic
A Historic Shell, A Modern Soul
Just minutes from the hum of Darling Harbour, Woolstore 1888 stands as one of Sydney’s most evocative transformations—a heritage-listed wool store reborn into a design-forward boutique stay. Built in 1888, the structure retains its industrial backbone: exposed brick, towering timber beams, ironbark columns, and steel-framed windows that nod to its working past. But step inside and the history shifts gears. Sleek furnishings, warm textures, and a punchy industrial-chic aesthetic create a layered atmosphere that feels both rooted and refreshed. It’s warehouse architecture reimagined with intent, energy, and a modern pulse.
Pop Art Meets Period Drama
What sets Woolstore 1888 apart is its unabashed embrace of art and attitude. Bold pop art splashes across heritage walls, injecting color and charisma into the building’s raw materials. Retro portraits, graphic prints, and cheeky modern pieces animate the hotel like a living gallery—bridging 19th-century industry with 21st-century creativity. The result is a visual dialogue: textured brick meets neon edge, historic ceiling beams meet contemporary wit. It’s the perfect pairing for guests who like their history with a wink.
Rooms with a View—and a Vibe
Every room is crafted with tactile sophistication—bespoke furniture, plush textiles, modern tech, and those gorgeous warehouse bones. High ceilings and original beams amplify the sense of volume, while warehouse-style windows wash spaces in natural light. Whether you’re in a snug studio or a sprawling suite, the design sings in contrasts: soft linens against brick, leather against timber, smooth finishes against raw industrial texture. It’s intimate yet airy, historic yet decisively modern.
Rooted in History, Made for Now
Woolstore 1888 thrives not because it preserves the past, but because it elevates it. Its Pyrmont location is ideal for exploring Darling Harbour’s reinvented precinct, and inside, the hotel feels like a curated sanctuary—equal parts local hangout and design retreat. Lounge in the atrium with a cocktail, admire the craftsmanship from another era, or simply let the ambient mix of industrial grit and contemporary polish wash over you. This hotel doesn’t just tell a story—it invites you to live inside one.
DNA Hotels Verdict
Woolstore 1888 is heritage architecture with a contemporary heartbeat—bold, warm, and unmistakably Sydney. For travelers who crave personality, texture, and history reimagined through a modern lens, this is one of the city’s most compelling boutique stays.
