The Gadigal of the Eora Nation
New South Wales
Completed in 1962, 33 Alfred Street was Sydney’s first skyscraper and one of it’s most  prestigious addresses.
By 2014, it had slipped to B-Grade office. With few precedents for renewal of International-style office buildings, a rigorous process drew on historians, academics, engineers, extensive research, sampling, and prototyping.
The renewal features reinterpretation of the original dual-level lobby, escalators and illuminated ceiling, shaped by the original green marble walls and a monumental travertine central core. State-of-the-art workplace and End-of-Trip embody the elegance of the era’s exemplars. Refurbishing Australia’s first seawater-cooled mechanical system minimises energy use and reuse of the existing structure reduces embodied carbon by 75%.
Top legal practices – the original tenants – have returned to the Premium-grade, State Heritage-listed workplace – drawn by its unique character and quality. A model for Modernist heritage renewal, 33 Alfred Street’s place in Sydney’s Circular Quay is secure for the next 50 years.
33 Alfred Street demonstrates how thoughtful design and collaborative delivery can extend the life of a landmark building while meeting modern workplace needs.
The adaptive reuse preserves the heritage character while delivering upgraded services, improved environmental performance and Premium grade office.
Enhanced natural light, modernised floorplates and strong precinct connectivity support contemporary work and an active public domain.
Delivered through a close partnership between co-owners Dexus Wholesale Property Fund (DWPF) and Mirvac Wholesale Office Fund (MWOF), JPW and the Built delivery team, the reopening marks a new chapter for this iconic building as a sustainable workplace with long-term investment value.
Matthew Morel, Design Architect
Paul van Ratingen, Design Architect
Supinder Matharu, Project Lead
Florian Hoffmann, Project Lead
Gavin Xu, Project Lead
Nicholas Schultz, Project Team
Alessandro Pinzin, Project Team
Jacopo Scattolin, Graduate of Architecture
Keita Sugimoto, Project Team
Max Hoffmeister, Graduate of Architecture
Zahin Chowdhury, Project Team
Jodie Chieu, Project Team
Lillian Xiao, Graduate of Architecture
Jansen Che, Project Architect
Rosemary Jeremy, Graduate of Architecture
Sarah Sim, Graduate of Architecture
Thomas Studholme, Graduate of Architecture
Xiao Jiun Phang, Project Architect
Aileen Zhong, Graduate of Architecture
Eugene Wu, Project Architect
Poojitha Sundaram, Graduate of Architecture
Rohan Gemin Buddhipala, Project Team
Rose Wilson, Project Team
Tracey Lau, Project Team
Urbis, Town Planner
Urbis, Heritage Consultant
NDY, Structural Engineer
IGS, Services Consultant
Surface Design, Facade Engineer
PPC, Project Manager
RLB, Quantity Surveyor
EPM, Vertical Transportation
IGS, ESD Consultant
LLight, Lighting Consultant
Acoustic Logic, Acoustic Consultant
Group DLA, Building Surveyor
Warrington Fire, Fire Engineer
MGAC, Accessibility
Urbanite, Signage
UAP, Curator
Consuelo Cavaniglia, Artist
International Conservation Services, Conservator