Willow Group, in collaboration with Pongrass Properties, has lodged plans for a $250-million A-Grade commercial redevelopment in Surry Hills, Sydney. The proposed development will transform five adjoining heritage warehouses into a high-end, mixed-use precinct comprising premium office space, retail tenancies, and curated hospitality offerings at the fringe of Sydney’s CBD.

Located just off Hyde Park in Surry Hills, the site at 4-22 Wentworth Avenue offers the prospect of panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and Central Station's clocktower from the top floors. One of the last significant heritage development sites of its kind on the city fringe, the five existing buildings and their contemporary extensions will deliver over 7,000sqm of Net Lettable Area.

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The redevelopment is being collaboratively designed by DKO Architecture and Aileen Sage, who were announced as joint winners of a six-week Design Excellence Competition by the City of Sydney. The two architecture firms were awarded the project for their heritage-first design approach that celebrates the original building facades.

Ranging from five to 13 floors, the buildings will feature two grand lobbies designed by renowned landscape practice Dangar Barin Smith. The primary entrance lobby leads to a dramatic three-storey atrium with a glass roof, exposed original brickwork and sculptural staircase connecting three of the warehouse buildings. Indigenous planting on the rooftop terraces underscores the project’s distinctive focus on greenery.

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High-end food and beverage venues, laneway cafes and split-level retail tenancies will bring the ground level alive. Willow Group has made significant progress in their discussions with leading national and international hospitality operators.

Melbourne-based Finding Infinity is leading the ESD strategy for the development, with a range of sustainability initiatives rarely seen in heritage-conversion projects, including a Cross Laminated Timber structural system and cutting-edge displacement ventilation.

“We are incredibly proud of the scheme that DKO Architecture and Aileen Sage have created so collaboratively – their response pays enormous respect to the heritage of the sites, reimagining the existing Edwardian buildings and contributing positively to the existing neighbourhood character of Surry Hills,” says Willow Development Group Director Michael Skala.

“The location is second-to-none, it capitalises on the nearby Tech Precinct, which is anchored by the Atlassian building and new Central Station, while taking advantage of the unique heritage character of Surry Hills, making it a popular commercial address for traditional workplace tenants alongside the more independent architects, designers and creative firms. This will be a world-class mixed-use precinct, and will reinvent what it means to work, live and play in Surry Hills,” he adds.

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Elaborating on the design thought process, DKO Architecture Director of Architecture and Growth, Rupert Reed, explains, “We imagined the project within five key design principles – individual character for each of the heritage buildings, efficient circulation throughout the buildings, diversity in the tenancies and floorplates, a cohesive form for the retrofit, and a celebration of the layers of history throughout.”

“Tenants can expand across multiple buildings and grow within the site – it’s designed as a really adaptive layout that seamlessly connects with its surrounds,” he says.

With a fast-growing pipeline of over $500 million across Victoria and New South Wales, Willow views the project as an opportunity to grow its footprint across one of Sydney’s most sought-after postcodes.

Images: Supplied

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