A new venue has emerged in Newtown, Sydney, catering to students and young entrepreneurs alike. O3 Space, a unique study café, has transformed the site of the former radical Gould’s Book Arcade into a vibrant hub for academic and creative pursuits. The café has quickly gained popularity, drawing crowds of students eager to find a conducive environment for studying, socialising, and enjoying matcha lattes.
A New Era for a Former Radical Icon
Situated on King Street, a thoroughfare renowned for its lively nightlife, O3 Space presents a stark contrast to the usual raucous atmosphere. As patrons settle in, laptops open and lo-fi beats play softly in the background, creating an ambience reminiscent of a laid-back sanctuary rather than a typical café. The founder, Luca Yang, emphasises that the café aims to provide a haven that does not evoke the stresses of academic life. “The whole point of it is that we don’t want to remind you of work,” he explains.
Yang, who launched his first café in Auckland in 2024, has since expanded his business with additional locations in Melbourne and now Sydney. The launch of the Newtown branch was met with unexpected enthusiasm, with queues reminiscent of a bustling nightclub on its opening weekend.
Entering the Space: A Unique Experience
Access to O3 Space requires visitors to download an app and scan a QR code, a process that some patrons find unusual for a study environment. Annie McCann, an author who visited recently, remarked on the oddity of needing an app for entry, especially compared to traditional libraries or academic spaces. However, the initial inconvenience faded away upon entering the café, which features whimsical decor including sloping roofs and an upside-down Japanese torii gate.
With 126 patrons present during a recent visit, the café buzzed with energy. Students lounged on communal benches, while others sprawled on eclectic couches, creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Hiba Maricar and Zainab Kashif, both students at the University of Technology, expressed their satisfaction with the space, appreciating the absence of a purchase requirement to stay. “I feel like I’m in my own room studying,” Kashif noted.
Flexible Membership and Pricing Structure
O3 Space offers patrons three complimentary hours each week, after which additional time incurs a fee of $7.50 per hour. Alternatively, tiered membership plans are available, ranging from $10 to $50 a week for more hours. Many students are willing to invest in these memberships, with some likening the experience to a gym subscription. “I’m always here. I’m always there. I’m happy,” commented Renin Hamdan, a regular visitor who enjoys the café’s inviting environment.
The café’s design pays homage to its predecessor, with remnants of Gould’s Book Arcade still visible. Books are strategically placed throughout the space, serving as a nostalgic nod to the building’s history as a beloved secondhand bookshop.
Community Reactions and Local Sentiments
The transformation of the former bookshop has not been without controversy. Some locals have expressed concerns over the commercialisation of a site that held significant cultural value. Diane Fieldes, a longtime activist and member of Sydney’s Socialist Alternative organisation, recalls her memories of Gould’s Book Arcade fondly. Despite the mixed feelings, Fieldes appreciates the café’s presence, stating, “I figure it’s better that it’s used than it just gets pulled down and turned into some soulless apartments that are too expensive for people to live in.”
Fieldes believes that venues like O3 Space cater to a natural desire for communal interaction, aligning with the sociological concept of a “third place”—an environment distinct from home and work where individuals can connect socially. While some patrons express hesitation over the hourly charges, others view it as a fair trade-off for a conducive study atmosphere.
Why it Matters
The opening of O3 Space in Newtown signifies a shift in how urban spaces can be repurposed to meet the needs of contemporary society. By transforming a historically significant site into a modern study café, O3 Space not only creates a unique environment for students and young professionals but also sparks discussions about community use, historical preservation, and the changing landscape of urban life. As cafes increasingly serve as social and intellectual hubs, O3 Space exemplifies the potential for innovative spaces that foster collaboration, creativity, and connection among the next generation.
