North Sydney: Pro-Invest Group in $280m 100 Walker St development
Communal spaces, lounges and outdoor sky terraces are among features of a proposed $280m tower aimed at changing the way we work.
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The North Sydney construction boom shows no signs of slowing with high-rise plans revealed for a new “anti office” skyscraper designed at enticing workers back to the city.
Outdoor sky terraces, lounges and flexible work spaces are among features of a $280.6 million plan for a 44-storey commercial building at 100 Walker Street.
The skyscraper would be one of tallest on the CBD skyline – topping the 42 storey Victoria Cross Metro over station development and just shy of the 48 storey development planned at 88 Walker St.
It is also the latest development proposed on Walker St after plans were released for a 44 storey tower at 153-157 Walker St, a 26 storey tower at 63-68 Walker St and the suburb’s tallest skyscraper, standing 55 storeys tall, at 110-122 Walker St
If approved, a 14 storey office tower currently at 100 Walker St would be demolished to make way for the building.
Plans to North Sydney Council show the development would have 35 levels of commercial space, three levels of retail areas including a gym and wine bar, and six levels of basement carparking with 88 spaces.
Developer Pro-Invest Group said the project had been designed as an “anti-office” building with communal spaces, lounges, outdoor terraces designed to revive commercial buildings post-Covid.
“Research has shown that many people would like to continue working from home, from anywhere from one to five days per week depending on what types of work need to be done,” plans stated.
“This means that workplaces can have significantly fewer workstations and individual offices as focused work that requires a quiet environment can now be done from home (or anywhere).”
Pro-Invest Group said the CBD was “undergoing a period of unprecedented development” but said the increased density would be supported by access to the new Victoria Cross metro station due to open in 2024.
The building is designed by Bates Smart – the same architects that contributed to Channel 9’s new North Sydney studios, the Macquarie Exchange in the CBD and the renewal of Eveleigh Workshops.
Bates Smart director Guy Lake said Covid has “no doubt shifted the way people work and their motivators to come together in an office”.
“At the same time, North Sydney will significantly transform as a place over the next 10 years, with the Victoria Cross Metro station spurring redevelopment and helping to turn the area into a place where people want to work, play and live.
“We’ve approached 100 Walker Street as the ‘anti-office’ building in response to these major
changes.
“(The tower) offers a more holistic lifestyle in place of a traditional workstyle – it’s intentionally designed to attract tenants that may not otherwise consider North Sydney.”
“The design prioritises generous public spaces, social connectivity, wellbeing and sustainability. These elements haven’t traditionally been catered to and integrated in commercial high rises.”
Other features of the development include a new pedestrian laneway linking Walker St to Little Spring St.
The proposal is currently under assessment by North Sydney Council.
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