Rather than asking what kind of building can we make, we first ask, how can this project contribute to the city? This enquiry led us to look at the unique qualities of the site, its potential urban role in the city and how the project can support this. The site occupies a coveted position on the city’s edge, where the prime real estate often exists. It enjoys the combination of outlook, daylight and air, whilst having access to all of the city’s offering behind you. This site is not just on the city edge, it’s on the north-eastern corner of Sydney offering exceptional views of the gardens and the harbour. In addition, it is a stones throw away from Circular Quay which has exceptional transport connectivity - ferry, light rail, heavy rail and bus interchange. The precinct also has a wealth of cultural destinations such as Sydney Opera House, MCA, Customs House and Royal Botanic Gardens. Recent and current developments will intensify activities at Circular Quay with multiple commercial towers, new food & beverage areas and a major redevelopment of the ferry wharves and waterfront to be completed by 2028.

The proposal seeks to preserve and reinstate the southern and western remnant fabric of the heritage building to its likely configuration when it was first constructed. A new coat of glass has been proposed over the existing fabric to provide weather protection and maintain a certain sense of visual presence to its southern and western elevations. The newly exposed walls would be refinished to interpret their original internal or external nature. The proposal also seeks to restore the original stair configuration and connect a new flight of stairs to the existing, ultimately reinvigorating the currently underused stairs as a point of egress.

The scheme returns the ‘ground’ back to original ground level and greatly improves connectivity to and from Circular Quay. We propose a generous mix of communal and public space activated by F&B and communal use together with public & residents movement through the site. Biophillic aspects from hanging and edge planting to water elements are here to enrich the public experience.

The building has been divided into distinct apartment types that draw upon views, amenities and character available at respective portion of the approved volume. In turn, the various types appeal to different parts of the target demographic spectrum. Due to the deep podium, the central area was identified to be least suitable for residential use, but well suited to public and communal use. Hence public and communal spaces are provided here in a synergetic manner to strengthen F&B and the commercial use in heritage building, lower ground and ground.