Investa Office and Gwynvill Group, have announced Hassell as the winner of the international design competition for the redevelopment of 60 Martin Place.
The selection follows a three month design competition involving six design teams, including a mix of local and international architectural firms. Following first round submissions, Hassell and a partnership between Architectus and PLP Architecture from London were shortlisted, with Hassell ultimately awarded the winning scheme. 60 Martin Place is currently a 28-storey building comprising just over 28,500 square metres of lettable area.
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The Owner’s vision for the site is to create a distinctive, timeless development and a 21st century workplace for tenants, which is in line with both Council’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision and the objectives of the Martin Place Owner’s Group. Both aim to revitalise the role and function of Martin Place as a key global financial and economic hub within the Sydney CBD, making it an attractive, activated location for employment and after-hours entertainment and dining.
Hassell’s design which incorporates just over 40,000 square metres of lettable area, over 32 levels was a stand-out, successfully combining an integrated, connected ground plane design with architectural features that complement the character and materials of Martin Place.
Sandstone cladding on the podium facade provide a link to the Martin Place heritage precinct, with the design activating all three frontages via perimeter retail on the lower and upper ground levels and the provision of three lobby entrances. The podium rooftop incorporates a public restaurant, roof terrace and event space with balconies onto Martin Place and Macquarie Street. The development reveals the adjoining St Stephen’s Uniting Church as one side of the five story glass atrium, creating a vibrant civic ‘room,’ exposing and incorporating the southern façade of the church.
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The through site link and new atrium will enhance permeability of the site, providing a new public space for Martin Place. The atrium has a grand scale, being open to upper podium level commercial spaces, enabling tenants and the broader community to engage with heritage listed St Stephen’s Church at the lower level.
The design respects the existing facades that lend Martin Place its character and 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 towards the view above the spire. From street level, the image of the spire will be reflected and scattered in the façade.”
On Monday this week, the City of Sydney approved the planning proposal for the development, supporting the amendment of the planning controls to allow the development to proceed.
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The landmark site provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to create an enduring development that exceeds the expectations of premium tenants over the long term, while being a positive legacy for the City of Sydney and its Owners, and a benchmark for future office developments in Sydney.
