Sydney’s newest flexible workspace at Lendlease’s One O’Connell Street, will benefit from eight years of design evolution by the original architect of hospitality-inspired workplaces across Asia Pacific, The Great Room.

The partnership between The Great Room and Lendlease will see a flexible workspace that reflects a unique design and premium positioning. Set to revolutionise the eight-hour workday, The Great Room is inspired by hotels and business clubs.

The new flexible workspace will comprise 2,356 square metres over Levels 14 and 15 and follows the earlier 2024 opening of The Great Room’s inaugural Sydney destination at Level 29, 85 Castlereagh Street.

“Collaboration with Lendlease for long-term investment and value creation ensures the new space at 1 O’Connell Street will reflect a unique premium product and deliver sustainable profitability,” says The Great Room’s Chief Executive Officer Jaelle Ang.

“Our experience across Asia enables us to show professionals what they want before they know it, which goes beyond design to incorporate immersive experiences with leading lifestyle, wellness, business and consumer brands, to achieve a higher-than-average occupancy rate for flexible workspaces.”

One O’Connell is co-owned by Lendlease’s APPF Commercial fund and a sovereign wealth fund.

Located in the most prominent Sydney CBD destination, the iconic Premium grade building is set to benefit from a proposed development that has the potential to transform the area into a mixed-use, retail and commercial workplace destination of exceptional quality with new public spaces. The precinct will also benefit from the City of Sydney’s City North Public Domain Plan.

“The Great Room will be a much-welcomed addition to One O’Connell. As Sydney’s CBD continues to evolve, the demand for versatile flexible workspace solutions that elevate the working experience will continue to grow,” says Scott Meehan, Head of Asset Management, Lendlease Investment Management.

“This offering aligns to One O’Connell’s ethos of providing diverse tenant partners with an environment that fosters collaboration, community, wellness and productivity.”

With a variety of membership plans, members of The Great Room can expect activations and events such as a Monday Breakfast Club, Great Thirstday monthly networking drinks and Spend the Night, a fireside chat series with relevant and topical panel discussions.

A weekly Turn Down Cart serving refreshments, similar to a turndown service in a hotel, also enhances members’ experience.

The Great Room’s signature design is expected to attract local members aligned with the calibre of the brand’s Asia Pacific clientele, which are dominated by multinational corporations and established brands from finance, technology, professional services, and not-for-profit sectors.

“We are excited to witness our footprint in Australia rapidly expanding, with demand ensuring the opening of an additional floor at our inaugural location by end of year, as work for the design at One O’Connell Street is finalised,” says Ang.

Founded in Singapore, The Great Room boasts 12 locations across Asia-Pacific, including Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Sydney.

Acquisition by the New York based co-working business Industrious in 2022 means members of The Great Room have access to 160 destinations by both brands, spanning Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and the United Kingdom.

Image: One O'Connell / Supplied

Clémence Carayol

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