The latest proposal for a $1.3 billion mixed-use tower above Wynyard Station in central Sydney was referred to the NSW Planning Assessment Commission this week.

Property group Thakral Holdings, which owns the building above the train station, lodged a revised development plan for the project late last year following state government objections to earlier plans.

The City One Wynyard concept design has been developed by Hassell, and it proposes to build a 29-storey tower above the station which includes a new shopping centre and office building.

The developer most recent offering to the NSW government is an $18.5 million cash payment if it approves the deal, to be spent on improvements in the area around the station and has been suggested could fund a walkway link to Barangaroo.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that The City of Sydney opposes the proposal, because it provides too little public benefit, while Thakral plans to sell the site, with Westfield and Grocon considered likely bidders.

The design statement notes:

The integrated nature of the rail station concourse and access to this from George Street dictates a limited range of design options available for the Office Tower.

The design options are limited by the design controls of the Solar Access plane to Martin Place and recognition of the adjacent Heritage Buildings, in both Carrington Street and George Street. These combined with the constraints on the configuration of the tower lift cores and the columns structure of the to the Office development above the retail and rail concourses.

Hassell says the underlying design philosophy for the City One development is to open and to celebrate the activity of the precinct on the concourse, in the links within the building and the activity within the new commercial building The design concept is to capture and use as much daylight as possible, to create a welcoming and friendly arrival, retail and work environment for the Wynyard Station entrance from George Street.

The George Street Elevation

The Concept design aspires to a 6 Star Green Star rating, with the following major features:

• Daylight and quality of commercial office environment
• Location to public transportation
• Capacity for natural ventilation through the double skin façade
• Efficient Mechanical systems
• Rainwater harvesting
• Low energy lighting systems
• Waste Recycling
• Modular construction

Images: NSW Planning