Description – COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL TOWER
Location of Project – PITT STREET SYDNEY
Year Project Commenced – 2010
MHDP’s involvement, design, advocacy and passion not only defended the Client against Council re-zoning, but also resulted in a Stage 1 development approval for an additional 14 floors of A1 grade residential development space in the prime central location of Circular Quay.
MHDP was engaged by the Client to look at the potential of responding to Council’s LEP for a City block fronting Circular Quay. This LEP allotted FSR and Height to four sites on the block, all other sites could only sell FSR. This potentially devalued the Client’s property.
MHDP, in association with Urban Designer Dal Andrews, undertook a detailed urban study of the locality and developed a concept that activated the laneways, responded to Council’s desired future outcomes and maximised the commercial viability of the site.
After a successful Pre-DA presentation a Stage 1 DA was developed, submitted and approved.
The proposed development was multi-use with a number of key features. The activated ground level had separate lobbies for residential and commercial use as well as small scale retail units addressing the laneway. The first fourteen floors were efficient and flexible commercial floor plates, suitable for single or multiple tenants. The upper seventeen floors contained single floor units with spectacular Harbour Bridge to Opera House views. The intermediate floor between commercial and residential contained a Sky Garden and shared facilities, swimming pool, conference and library facilities.
The building design incorporated cutting edge energy transfer environmental sysems that utlised the potential held within the mixed-use development.
Aesthetically the building did not follow the typical slick wrapped tower look – rather, the building was articulated in response to its context and function at various levels.
Following approval, the site was sold, to be incorporated into a neighbouring much larger development, but the value established by MHDP’s Stage 1 approval created an enviable bargaining position for the Client and an outstanding financial result.
TESTIMONIAL
I have known Mark in a professional capacity since he commenced his practice and is my architect of choice. He has effectively and enthusiastically completed assignments on a range of residential, industrial and commercial projects delivering workable and creative solutions.
What differentiates Mark is his willingness to listen to what the client wants to achieve. He typically then delivers a number of options so that in arriving at a decision your boundaries are stretched.
His enthusiasm and professionalism has never wavered, be it a colour scheme for an industrial complex, to a residential project or to a major CBD development.
JOHN AUSTIN FAIV
