City Mutual Building: The art deco beacon in the heart of Sydney
In Sydney, the City Mutual Building at 66 Hunter Street is one of the city’s most iconic examples of art deco design for commercial office use.
Constructed in 1936 during the height of the art deco period, it was designed by architect Emil Sodersten and stands out in the city skyline with its distinctive polished granite base, Hawkesbury sandstone cladding above, and bronze-framed shopfronts.
“Beyond its architectural merit, the City Mutual Building holds a commanding presence on the Hunter/Bligh corner, contributing as a landmark in the CBD streetscape,” explained Tim Noonan, director at Noonan Property.
“From my point of view, it’s the most prestigious and prominent commercial strata building in Sydney.”
A landmark born of ambition
When the City Mutual Life Assurance Society commissioned their head office (the City Mutual Building) in the late 1920s and early 1930s, they envisioned more than just a workplace, but sought to craft a statement piece of architecture that would showcase Sydney’s prestige. Sodersten was employed for the job.
He was already a prominent Australian architect renowned for his contributions to the art deco and moderne architecture movement on Australian shores, and is responsible for other recognisable designs across Australia, including the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, the Birtley Towers in Sydney and Segenhoe Flats in Potts Point.
The final design spared no detail in art deco features, including Carrara marble, decorative friezes, and muted brass accents.
From heritage to functionality
As the decades passed, Sydney’s CBD evolved around the building, with towering glass structures integrated into the original heritage charm of the city.
The City Mutual Building has been carefully controlled through heritage listing (including on the NSW State Heritage Register), ensuring that its craftsmanship, character and symbolic value endure into the present day.
Inside, many original finishes survive, including the main banking chamber, lift lobbies, and corridors that boast scagliola walls, bronze fittings, decorative lighting and detailed joinery, all representative of the highest standard of corporate interior design in the 1930s. However, modern amenities have been added to accommodate today’s workers with top-notch tech connectivity, heating and cooling, and security.
Situated on Hunter Street, the City Mutual Building connects the heritage precincts of the Rocks and Circular Quay, housing law firms, financial advisers, and banking headquarters. With this prime position in Sydney’s CBD, tenants gain visibility within a renowned building.
Today’s tenancy opportunity
Spaces are highly sought after within the building; however, they do occasionally come onto the market either for leasing or sale.
“Office suites range from 50 square metres to whole floors of 800 square metres. Most buyers and occupants are professional businesses including lawyers, accountants, financial services, property, investment, and the like, seeking high quality office space,” explains Noonan.
Among the rare opportunities currently available is Suite 802, a 77-square-metre boutique office for lease within this landmark.
The suite features an open-plan layout with natural light that flows in through the heritage-style windows, a kitchenette and multiple zones for a mix of workstations.
“We have sold the following two properties within the building so far this year (suite 307, 66 Hunter Street, Sydney sold in June 2025 for $1.35 million and suite 501, 66 Hunter Street, Sydney sold in February 2025 for $975,000),” says Noonan of the buildings performance.
