Greek Orthodox Church Redevelop Redfern Cathedral

Australia’s Greek Orthodox Church has lodged plans for a $27.5 million redevelopment of its archdiocese in inner Sydney.

The restoration of the 173-year-old cathedral at 242 Cleveland Street in Redfern—recognised as the centre of Greek Orthodoxy in Australia—will be carried out across five stages over the next two decades.

The plans aim to maximise the church’s 4,000sq m site, with additions and alterations to the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady. The St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College building will be demolished to make way for a new theological college and museum. A new basement level will be also created underneath the church for a new crypt.

The masterplan has been designed by Australian-Greek architect Angelo Candalepas of Candalepas Associates, who has worked on religious institutions including St Mary’s Cathedral in the city and the Punchbowl Mosque.

Candalepas said the plan fulfils the Archdiocese’s duty as custodian of an important site.

“The buildings are cultural landmarks and have the power to bring communities closer together,” Candalepas said.

The first stage will be finished by March 2024, in time to celebrate the church’s centenary in Australia.

The church is currently listed on the state heritage register for its significance as an “early ecclesiastical design” in the architectural career of Edmund Blacket. It also has deep cultural significance to NSW as a congregation site for postwar migrant communities.

“The Archdiocese constitutes a sacred space and is at the epicentre of the Greek Orthodox presence in Australia,” His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia said.

“The newly-created facilities will bring us closer together and, most importantly, will enable our young people to have their own space within the Archdiocese and our Theological College.”

Candalepas is currently overseeing a number of project’s across Sydney, including the $250 million extension of the QT hotel at 458-472 George Street.

Nearby, at an undeveloped site bounded by George Street, Wynyard Street, York Street and Barrack Lane in the CBD, Candalepas has been tasked with designing a 13-storey office tower.

Plans are also in motion for a Candalepas-designed 36-storey hotel development that will cantilever over the heritage-listed Porter House building at 116 Bathurst Street.

In Surry Hills, the architect has drawn up plans for a $65 million development that will see an existing 1970s 6-storey brick office and retail building adapted into a refurbished office space.