The 235-metre Greenland Centre has garnered a strong level of interest at its first launch, with $275 million worth of apartments snapped up over the weekend.

Designed by BVN Donovan Hill and Woods Bagot, the 66-storey tower sits on the former Waterboard site on Bathurst Street in the Sydney CBD, and is expected to be the tallest building in the city.

It also boasts the credentials of being the first building of its height in Sydney to graft a completely new structure on top of an existing tall building. The materials of the old building will be reused and sent to the tip, instead of being demolished.

Glass-fronted balconies, which act as a wind screen and noise shield, will bridge the gap between the spaces within the apartments, and the areas they overlook.

Dubbed the ‘Sydney Balcony’, these balconies are sheltered and secure with unimpeded views. Timber floors will heighten the informal ambience that typical verandahs offer.

“They conjure up the idea of a quintessential verandah that can be used all year round,” says James Grose, principal architect at BVN.

“We spent a lot of time…thinking about how to make an external space that would not be windswept or unnerving to those fearful of heights.”

Internally, all units are precision-designed by Woods Bagot in a contemporary theme to reflect the needs of modern living.

This includes earthy tones with dark timber floors and polished stone finishes, which are to be featured across the 450 new apartments.

In addition to on-site amenities like a swimming pool, gymnasium and roof terrace, the project will incorporate a Creative Hub that is being developed in partnership with the City of Sydney.

Occupying spaces immediately above the street, the Hub offers artists, actors, dancers and musicians facilities to rehearse, gather and create. This is expected to generate a lively cultural buzz in the neighbouring Bathurst and Pitt Streets.

It is estimated that the project, which will include a conversion of the adjoining, heritage-listed art deco former Water Board building into a boutique 180-bed, five-star, will create 1000 full time and part time jobs.

Geraldine Chua

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