North Sydney Walker Street: first look at suburb’s tallest skyscraper

Incredible designs for North Sydney’s tallest skyscraper have been revealed. The $511m mega-project will feature green landscaped walls and even an open air rooftop garden.

Fresh plans released for mega tower at North Sydney

If you thought the north shore skyline couldn’t get any higher then think again – new plans have been released for the tallest skyscraper in North Sydney’s CBD.

A $511.6 million proposal has been unveiled for a 55 storey commercial, office and retail development with space for up to 6000 workers at the site at 110-122 Walker St.

The 233.4m tall skyscraper would include rooftop retail tenancies, restaurants, cafes, co-working spaces and green landscaped walls.

The site would have up to 6000 workers.

An artist's impression of the roof garden.

There would also be rooftop gardens encouraging activities such as team lunches, conferences as well as health programs to boost the “wellbeing” of office workers including “exercise classes, tranquil respites and art classes”.

Developer Stockland said public art would be encouraged at the site and there would also be a pedestrian link from Walker St to Little Spring St, connecting to 1 Denison St and the new Victoria Cross Sydney Metro station.

The tower would offer views across Sydney Harbour.

The development would include public art installations.

If approved, the building would tower over a list of recently completed and planned developments including the new Microsoft and Channel 9 headquarters at Denison St, the 42 commercial tower planned on top of Victoria Cross Station and the proposed 27 storey redevelopment of the MLC Building.

The building would be so tall that modelling released in the plans shows the tower would partially block views from surrounding high-rise buildings and apartment complexes including 1 Denison St and the 79-81 Berry Street apartments.

An artist's impression of the retail spaces.

A concept plan of the development.

Plans stated view sharing had been maintained where possible, and the design of the building had been inspired by the local region – describing the podium terrace as looking across North Sydney “like a sun-drenched cliff edge” while the roof garden would “take its cues from Wendy Whiteley’s much-loved Lavender Bay garden.”

“Journey through a gallery of landscape scenes,” the plans stated.

“By creating moments for genuine connection to nature we hope to craft experiences that inspire.”

An artist's impression of the project.

An aerial view of the site.

Despite an increase in office workers now based home, Stockland said it was anticipating “a rapid increase” in the demand and density of commercial space in North Sydney over coming years.

“This rapid growth is part of the city’s strategic ambition to reclaim the core’s share of the commercial market, attracting a new wave of premium and A-grade building tenants,” the plans stated.

A total of 170 carparking spaces and 547 spaces for bikes would be included in the development.

An artist's impression of the tower

Plans stated the proposal would be serviced by public transport, and a four minute walk to the new Victoria Cross Metro Station due to open in 2024.

“Historically the North Sydney worker is seen as someone living on the North Shore. Better access and activation (to the metro station) will make it more appealing for workers who live more broadly and younger workers,” the plans stated.

The proposal is currently under assessment by North Sydney Council.