Hidden in the heart of Bondi Junction, The Boot Factory has become one of the eastern suburbs’ most unique community spaces — blending heritage architecture, family-friendly activities, creativity and local history all in one beautifully restored building.
After reopening in 2024 following a major restoration project, the heritage-listed building now serves as a vibrant hub for community events, workshops and gatherings for locals of all ages.
What Happens at The Boot Factory Today?
Managed by Waverley Council, The Boot Factory now hosts a wide range of community, family and cultural activities throughout the year.
The restored venue has quickly become a popular destination for eastern suburbs families, creatives, seniors and local residents looking to participate in welcoming community programs inside a unique historic setting.
Popular Activities at The Boot Factory
The venue regularly hosts:
- Interactive Story Time and Craft sessions for children aged 3–5
- Community fitness classes including strength, stretch and circuit sessions
- Mindful sketching and drawing workshops
- Community book clubs and literary discussions
- Creative workshops and special interest gatherings
- Local community and seniors programs
Children’s activities are particularly popular with local families. Monthly Story Time and Craft sessions combine storytelling, rhymes and hands-on craft activities designed for preschool-aged children and their caregivers.
The creative workshops attract amateur artists and locals looking for a relaxed and inspiring environment to sketch, draw and connect with others in the community.
The venue also supports broader community wellbeing through fitness classes, seniors programs and sustainability-focused initiatives connected to Waverley Council’s Innovation and Knowledge Hub vision.
Residents can explore upcoming activities and registrations through the Waverley Council Events Directory.
Breathing New Life Into a Historic Building
The reopening of The Boot Factory marked the completion of years of restoration and redevelopment work by Waverley Council.
Breathing new life into the buildings, Council transformed both the historic Boot Factory and neighbouring Mill Hill Community Centre into an Innovation and Knowledge Hub designed to support creativity, learning and community connection.
The revitalised precinct now includes:
- A new Community and Seniors Centre
- Flexible multi-purpose community spaces
- A café with courtyard and street presence
- A revitalised Norman Lee Place courtyard
- Shared accessibility features including lift access between buildings
The site also hosts Waverley Council’s “Thinker in Residence” pilot program, focused on engaging the local community in conversations around sustainability, climate resilience and the circular economy.
Restoring The Boot Factory
Following approval of the development application in May 2020, restoration work officially began in April 2021.
The project carefully preserved the building’s historic features while modernising the site for contemporary community use.
Major works included:
- Restoration of the roof
- Structural upgrades to masonry perimeter walls
- Installation of new flooring
- Complete interior fit-outs
- Improved accessibility and lift connections
- Courtyard and public space upgrades
The Boot Factory officially reopened in 2024, bringing one of Waverley’s most important heritage buildings back to life.
The History of The Boot Factory
The Boot Factory is one of the last remaining examples of Victorian industrial architecture in Waverley and has been heritage-listed and recognised by the National Trust.
Built in 1892 by William Sidaway, the building originally operated as the Sidaway & Son boot manufacturing factory.
During Sydney’s industrial boom, the factory produced sturdy footwear before later transitioning into high-quality fashion shoes after World War II. Its famous “Sally Smart” footwear range became a well-known household name across Australia.
For decades, the factory played an important role in Sydney’s manufacturing history and local economy.
Manufacturing operations eventually ended in 1969, but the building continued serving the community through a variety of organisations and local services, including the Inventors Association of Australia.
Waverley Council acquired the building in 1984, reopening it as part of the Mill Hill Community Centre before it later sat vacant between 2007 and 2024 awaiting restoration.
Why The Boot Factory Matters Today
Today, The Boot Factory stands as a beautiful example of how historic buildings can be thoughtfully restored and adapted for modern community life.
It combines Bondi Junction’s industrial past with the eastern suburbs’ growing focus on creativity, sustainability and community connection.
For families, creatives and locals alike, The Boot Factory has become far more than a heritage building — it is once again a living part of the Waverley community.
Story Time at The Boot Factory: A Morning of Tales, Rhymes and Crafty Fun
Story Time and Craft Fun for Preschoolers at The Boot Factory Bondi Junction
