A 14-storey boutique office tower has been approved for Sydney’s revitalized George Street precinct, incorporating the adaptive reuse of an existing heritage building.
Designed by Tribe Studio Architects in collaboration with Matthew Pullinger Architect, the tower will cantilever from a two-storey setback over the heritage facades at 319–321 George Street.
“The original 1900s heritage building forms the base of the new development, rising to a deep, two storey setback that is richly detailed in refined natural stone, before returning to the street alignment of the adjacent buildings,” a spokesperson for Tribe Studio said.
The architect has divided the George Street facade into three sections: the ground-level heritage building; the new extension reinforcing the scale of the original building; and a “handsomely detailed” stone level for the new commercial floors.
Render of 319-321 George Street by Tribe Studio Architects in collaboration with Matthew Pullinger Architect.
The new building channels the grand masonry and traditional architecture of the surrounding buildings, using a considered material palette of stone and bronze to complement the streetscape.
While sympathetic, the facade will be a contemporary interpretation, with sculpted stone parapets and deep recessive windows creating striking angles with sunlight and shadow. Strong masonry architectural expression will contrast with the finer filigree detail in the fenestration.
“While very clearly a contemporary building and relying on present-day machining and technology,” said studio principal Hannah Tribe, “it is also a building in dialogue with its established context and keyed into the historic DNA of Sydney’s retail and commercial heart.”
The George Street building will include new retail spaces linking George Street with Wynyard Lane. In contrast to the George Street facade, the lane’s expression reflects its humbler surrounds and the utilitarian character of Sydney’s service lanes, the architect said.
319–321 George Street will form part of the City of Sydney’s George Street precinct renewal, which strives to transform the traffic-choked street into a pedestrian-friendly boulevard. According to Lord Mayor Clover Moore, 25,000 square metres of road has already been reclaimed for Sydney businesses and residents.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
