The structural framework of the Hakoah Club‘s new campus at 30 Alma Street, Paddington has been completed, bringing Sydney’s largest Jewish community development in decades to a milestone its 3,409 Foundation Members have been waiting nearly two decades to reach.
A Norfolk pine now stands in the grounds as a living memorial to the 15 people killed in the terror attack at a Hanukkah gathering in Bondi on 14 December 2025 — planted at the topping out ceremony as a symbol of a community determined to grow through grief.
From vision to reality
Hakoah sold its former Hall Street, Bondi home in 2009, leaving Sydney’s Jewish community without a dedicated home for sport, culture and connection.
It took seven years to get the project off the ground, moving from the first 2015 planning application to NSW Land and Environment Court approval in 2021, and finally to construction in November 2022.
The scale of the build changed dramatically over that time, driving costs from an early estimate of $65 million up to the current $150 million-plus reality.
Hakoah president Steven Lowy described the milestone as the result of an extraordinary collective effort. “Today marks the result of 17 years of determination, generosity, and an unshakeable belief in what this community can achieve together,” Lowy said.
A tree planted in remembrance
The Norfolk pine at the heart of the milestone carries particular weight given the timing.
“A Norfolk pine has been planted here as a living memorial to those affected by the horrific event at Bondi on 14 December 2025, during Hanukkah, which struck at the heart of our Jewish community,” Lowy said. “This tree will stand for generations as a reminder of those we lost, and of a community that continues to grow.”
Lowy said the need for a safe gathering place had taken on new urgency in the months since the attack. The campus, while Hakoah’s to steward, is designed to be open to all.
Inside the new community campus
Designed by Cottee Parker Architects and built by Richard Crookes Constructions, the 30,000-square-metre campus at 30 Alma Street is a short walk from Edgecliff Station. More than 174,000 hours of work have gone into reaching structural completion, with facade works beginning this month.
The campus will include a floodlit full-size football pitch, indoor multi-sport courts for basketball, netball and futsal, two swimming pools, nine tennis courts operated by Sydney Maccabi Tennis, a 1,600-square-metre gym, a 140-seat café, dining and event spaces, children’s play areas and landscaped outdoor areas.
The historic White City heritage arches, southern grandstand trusses and roofline will all be preserved as part of the design.
A community-funded project
More than $100 million was raised from the Jewish community to fund the project. The project secured a total of $54.5 million through public grants. The bulk of this came from a $32 million security and infrastructure package delivered in March 2026 after the Bondi attack, which added to the $22.5 million originally provided.
The Australian Sports Foundation also provided support.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the campus would redefine Jewish identity in Australia. “Hakoah will be the place of gathering, of celebration, and strength to connect generations and guide our community to its best days,” Ryvchin said.
Looking ahead to 2027
The campus is on track to open in April 2027. Membership registration is open, with a target of 8,000 Foundation Members by opening. Partner organisations include Maccabi NSW, Shalom Collective and JCA.
Membership enquiries and further information are available here.
Published 9-July-2026
