The Great Room by Industrious Unveils New Flagship at One O’Connell Street, Sydney

Marking continued growth in Australia, The Great Room opens a second Sydney location in the heart of the CBD, following its recent acquisition by CBRE.

The Great Room by Industrious has opened its second Australian location at One O’Connell Street in Sydney’s CBD, marking a new chapter in the brand’s expansion across the region. 

The opening comes just six months after CBRE’s January 2025 acquisition of Industrious, signalling confidence in the long-term growth of the flex-space sector across Asia-Pacific. With The Great Room’s first Australian co-working hub at 85 Castlereagh Street Sydney already at 85% occupied, the group is actively exploring multi-city expansion opportunities in key Australian markets.

With sweeping views of the iconic Harbour Bridge, The Great Room’s newest location spans 2,356 square metres across Levels 14 and 15 of the landmark One O’Connell tower, a premium-grade WELL-certified building owned by Lendlease. Perfectly positioned between Circular Quay and Martin Place, the address places members at the heart of Sydney’s commercial and cultural core.

“With members across sectors including finance, technology, recruitment and professional services, The Great Room at One O’Connell is carving out a distinct niche, offering an elevated design, hospitality and community for businesses seeking more than just an office,” says Derek Hung, General Manager of The Great Room One O’Connell.

“We’ve seen a phenomenal response to our Castlereagh Street location, recently adding an additional floor to meet demand, and are excited to further build our Sydney footprint with our One O’Connell location. We are definitely scaling our presence here, and in the months to come, we will have more announcements in key Australian cities. We’re entering a new phase of growth that positions Australia as a key market for The Great Room’s continued expansion,” says Su Anne Mi, COO, Co-founder and CEO-designate, The Great Room by Industrious.

Design-Led and Future-Focused

Designed by M Moser Associates, a multidisciplinary firm integrating design, engineering, and delivery, the interiors offer a considered interplay of materiality, form and colour that pays homage to Sydney’s natural palette and built heritage. Soothing, earthy tones and gentle curves are offset by refined bronze coloured detailing, including brass hexagonal lattice-work panels between the stairwell and conservatory, lending a subtle architectural rhythm.

“This space was conceived as a journey: a tactile, light-filled canvas where each detail invites discovery. Balancing the rhythm of working life with the elegance of a boutique hotel, we focused on timeless design that reflects the spirit of Sydney and nurtures both productivity and connection,” said Melissa Noy, Associate, Design Strategist, M Moser Associates.

Spanning two interconnected floors, the workspace is bathed in natural light and offers sweeping views of Sydney Harbour from most private offices. An internal stairwell and thoughtfully positioned breakout areas create a fluid sense of movement, encouraging interaction and a strong community feel across both levels.

At the heart of the communal Drawing Room, a sculptural marble breakfast bar invites casual conversation over barista-made coffee. The generous, light-filled lounge is framed by plush velvet and bouclé armchairs, terracotta-toned carpets and earthy accents inspired by Sydney’s sandstone surroundings. Curved twilight blue leather banquettes are nestled within a generously sized conservatory-style alcove, ideal for collaborative moments. The Stateroom, a visually commanding boardroom designed for impact, features a bespoke lighting centrepiece: asymmetrical globe bulbs suspended on twin leather straps, casting a warm, ambient glow. A spacious event suite completes the floor, purpose-built to host both intimate gatherings and large-scale activations.

Designed for hybrid teams, scaling startups, SME’s and enterprise clients, The Great Room offers flexible workspace solutions that grow alongside evolving business needs. Customised private suites for teams of 3 to 100 sit alongside hot-desking zones and expansive communal areas. The four Enterprise Suites are purpose-built for larger teams with up to 50 desks, with private suites and breakout areas in a self-contained office, plus all the benefits of being a Great Room member.

The Great Room O’Connell Street is also equipped with accessibility features that support inclusive work environments, including hearing-friendly configurations, ergonomic furnishings, and barrier-free access throughout.

Elevating the Member Experience

Beyond the physical environment, The Great Room continues to foster connection through thoughtfully curated programming. Members enjoy weekly rituals such as Monday morning breakfasts, a signature Turn Down Cart, which offers a hotel-inspired moment of pause and refreshment and monthly networking sessions Great Thirstdays. 

“The opening of The Great Room by Industrious at One O’Connell Street in Sydney’s CBD introduces a sophisticated, hospitality-driven offering that complements the building’s premium positioning. This addition enhances the amenity available to all our tenants and reflects our ongoing focus on creating dynamic, high-quality workplace environments,” said Karin Ragel, Head of Asset Management, Lendlease Investment Management.

The arrival of The Great Room by Industrious at One O’Connell Street reinforces its standing as a key player in the premium coworking category across Asia Pacific. With locations in Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and now three in Sydney, members benefit from access to over 200 flexible workspaces worldwide through Industrious’ global footprint.