British-based international architecture firm Foster + Partners have revealed designs for what is to be Sydney’s tallest office tower. Circular Quay Tower, as the name suggests, will tower over Circular Quay from its home at 180 George Street.
Lendlease tapped Foster + Partners to design the new $1.5-billion office tower. Although it will be but one of a number of office towers set to reshape the city’s skyline in coming years, Circular Quay Tower is set to be Sydney’s tallest at the time of completion.
Foster + Partners’ designs for Circular Quay Tower will feature a roof structure up to 263 metres high, a public plaza that fronts onto George Street, and a secondary plaza on Rugby Place.
The design will also feature criss-crossing pedestrian laneways at different levels that will be lined with shops, cafes and bars.
Lendlease managing director of urban regeneration, Mark Menhinnitt, said the choice of a globally-renowned firm such as Foster + Partners – who topped a selection process that included seven international and local architect teams – was due to the location of Circular Quay Tower, and its inevitable importance to the future of Sydney CBD.
“Circular Quay Tower, to be located [at an] internationally-recognised address, will provide a dynamic workplace and environment for Sydney’s future generation of office occupiers,” said Menhinnitt.
“Fronting the reinvigorated city spine of George Street with two new plazas, workers and visitors will be welcomed to an abundance of retail, dining and entertainment, and arts and culture [amenities],” said Menhinnitt.
For their part, Foster + Partners has been responsible for several well-known buildings, including the Hearst Tower in New York, ‘The Gherkin’ in London and Deutsche Bank Place in Sydney.
According to Gerard Evenden, senior executive partner of Foster + Partners, Circular Quay Tower’s topography and unique location presents a seldom-seen design opportunity.
“The tower will be the centrepiece of an urban regeneration precinct that will reshape the northern end of the CBD into a vibrant community contributing to Sydney’s status as a global city,” said Evenden.
“The tower also makes a distinctive contribution to Sydney’s skyline with its innovative façade – the entire elevation is vertically articulated to modulate its visual impact on the skyline,” said Evenden.
