HASSELL won with a design that reaffirms Martin Place as the civic and business heart of Sydney and maximises views of the Sydney Opera House, Botanic Gardens and the harbour, while respecting the neighbouring heritage listed St Stephen’s Uniting Church.

The planned re-development by Investa Office and Gwynvill Group, which received approval for its planning proposal from the City of Sydney this week, will appeal to the most progressive tenants, with the ability to commission flexible, interconnected workspace and roof gardens in what will
become one of Sydney’s most sought-after business addresses.

“This is a site with a front row seat at the centre of Sydney’s skyline,” said Tony Grist, HASSELL Head of Design – Architecture and design team leader for the project.

“The design respects the existing facades that lend Martin Place its character. At street level on Martin Place, the building will feature a low-scale podium, formed of Sydney sandstone blades with the tower rising behind it. The sandstone solidity and copper spire of St Stephen’s Uniting Church has been a strong influence on the form of the new tower.

“The building’s striking northern facade is a fluid, curved form. As the building rises, the curve pulls back from the spire, giving it ‘breathing space’, before curving again. From street level, the image of the spire will be reflected and scattered in the façade,” he said.

The lower levels of the 32-storey development will allow movement between Martin Place and Macquarie Streets and provide public access to indoor and outdoor cafes, roof top bars and restaurants and an event space. The space forms a generous new civic ‘room’ visually connected with the church and the five levels, allowing people on upper levels to view and engage with events below.

The building will bring new life to the eastern end of Sydney’s pre-eminent civic space, reactivating it during and beyond usual business trading hours.

“The design will deliver a balance of social, cultural and economic value to Sydney and its people as well as to Investa Office and the Gwynvill Group,” Tony said.

The international design competition, involving six design teams, followed an extensive prefeasibility phase, led by HASSELL, which established the urban design and commercial parameters for the competition brief.

Featuring just over 40,000 square metres of lettable area, the building’s prominent corner location will provide up to three anchor tenants the opportunity to each secure the most prestigious business addresses in Sydney, via Martin Place, Macquarie Street or Phillip Street. The existing 1970s building would be demolished to make way for the premium, environmentally sound office tower, designed to achieve 6 Star Green Star Office and a minimum 5 Star NABERS Energy ratings. Construction completion is anticipated early 2019.

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