FJMT has submitted detailed designs for a tower extension on a crucial corner in Sydney’s CBD for assessment by the City of Sydney.
The 11-storey, 45-metre-tall extension to the north of an existing modernist tower at 201 Elizabeth Street would reinstate a historic street wall in the city and improve the existing tower’s relationship with the street.
“The proposal aims to extend the life of the existing tower with a new added podium that introduces a contemporary interpretation of the existing tower architecture, and that upgrades the tower lobby and courtyard to bring it up to date with the latest standards,” the architects said in a development application submitted to the City of Sydney.
Outdoor seating and planting would improve the existing tower’s relationship with the street.
The existing tower, designed by Kann, Finch and Partners and completed in 1979, had a forecourt that “[broke] the strong corner definition with negative space,” FJMT said its reference design proposal for the project submitted to council in 2021. A low building occupied by a Starbucks café now occupies that space.
“The intersection at Park Street and Elizabeth Street defines the city’s edge and entry point along Park Street. The form at this corner re-establishes the historical street wall at this crucial point at the city’s edge.”
The proposal would reinstate a historic street wall.
The proposal also aims to activate the street frontages with outdoor seating and planting to improve the on-street tree coverage.
The design of the project is in line with City of Sydney’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 aspirations and will also meet the city’s Planning for net zero energy buildings strategy.
The retention and refurbishment of the existing office tower contributes to the reduction of embodied carbon for the project. “The new vision for the site is considered in line with the City of Sydney’s objectives since it promotes the recycling of anexisting well performing commercial asset,” the architects said.
In addition, photovoltaic panels that also function as sunshading on the northern and eastern facades will generate energy for the building.
