Coming Soon: The Grounds of Alexandria To Revamp a Heritage Site in The Domain

Everyone knows The Grounds of Alexandria. Today it’s a cafe, restaurant, roastery, bakery, garden, florist and events extravaganza. But when it opened in 2012, it was just the cafe to be at (with all-out styling, an on-site garden and a resident pig, Kevin Bacon). The era of Instagramming your brekkie hit an industrial Sydney block, then expansions hit the CBD and Eveleigh. Now, the team’s about to start working on its next project: a transformation of a historic patch of The Domain.

The Grounds in The Domain will sit on the corner of Art Gallery and St Mary’s roads, hedging the CBD and close to the cathedral, Hyde Park, the Art Gallery of NSW, the Botanic Garden and The Domain.

The Grounds team secured the tender – after a competitive procurement process was opened to hospitality groups in January 2025 – and has signed a 25-year agreement for the site. The venue marks the first time the site will be open to the public.

“This is an exciting development for Botanic Gardens of Sydney, as the first lease of its kind to be offered on this historic site,” Yasmin Catley, acting state minister for planning and public spaces, said in a statement. “The passing of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Amendment Bill 2024 allowed for more sustainable investment in capital and infrastructure for Botanic Gardens of Sydney, which will lead to better facilities and services for the people of New South Wales to enjoy this 200-year-old public institution.”

The grassy corner is currently home to a sandstone gatekeeper’s cottage (dating to 1835) and a horticultural workshop used by the Royal Botanic Garden. Work on the project is expected to start this year, with The Grounds’ signature all-encompassing design and styling expected to lead the charge. An artist’s impression of the site shows manicured lawns, neat rows of trees, greenhouses and restored sandstone arches and structures.

“At The Grounds, we’re truly excited to bring a touch of our magic to the Domain Gateway precinct, opening a space that has been largely inaccessible for nearly two centuries,” said Ramzey Choker, founder and director of The Grounds Group. “This is a rare opportunity to welcome the public back into one of Sydney’s most historically significant locations, creating a hospitality experience that both respects its heritage and adds new life to the surroundings.”

Construction of The Grounds in The Domain will begin in 2026. An opening date is yet to be announced. 

@thegrounds