50 Martin Place

A new benchmark for sustainable design

Location
Sydney, Gadigal Country, Australia

Status
Completed

Client
Macquarie Bank

Type
Commercial, Heritage & Adaptive Reuse

50 Martin Place is a building of high cultural, social and economic significance for Sydney and the refurbishment broadens its significance by establishing a new benchmark for sustainable design through building reuse.

A contemporary rooftop addition and extensive internal transformation renews this nationally important heritage asset as the new global headquarters of Macquarie Group.

The intelligent re-use of the grand 1920’s Martin Place bank building capitalizes on the inherent strengths of the original architecture including large sidecore floorplates, a regular column grid and central atrium. It features an enlarged and light filled atrium as the heart of the new workplace, and the worlds-first capsule lifts deliver clients to conference and meeting spaces within a fine steel and glass roof dome.

The project is an exemplar of how collaborative teams can push the boundaries of commercially driven architecture and inspire those who reside and work within it.

AIA Jury Citation
Harry Seidler Award for
Commercial Architecture
2015

Interior view of 50 Martin Place in Sydney, showcasing the glass roof and workplace.

Interior view of 50 Martin Place in Sydney, showcasing the levels of workplace

“A masterstroke is the introduction of two cylindrical glass shuttle lifts. The lifts glide through this grand space in which structure and mechanical equipment are reduced to an absolute minimum. The collaboration and innovation essential to achieve this outcome cannot be understated.”

Ken Maher
AA March/April 2015

Interior view of 50 Martin Place in Sydney, showcasing office space and the glass roof.

“50 Martin Place is without doubt one of the most significant heritage refurbishments in Australian history… The project will be remembered for the roof, the stairs and the glass lifts – but there is, as we know, so much more.”

Will Walker and
Michael Silman
Macquarie Group

Aerial view of 50 Martin Place in Sydney, showcasing the glass roof

“A masterful example of the best in sensitive and intelligent building addition, sophisticated engineering for aesthetics and sustainability, clever adaptive re-use and restoration, innovative workplace design and, most importantly, how to create a relevant legacy to complement great commercial architecture of the past.”

AIA Jury Citation
Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture 2015

Awards

Winner – Development of the Year – Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards, 2016

Winner – SAS International Award for Best Office Development – Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards, 2016

Winner –JLL Award for Best Sustainable Development, Existing Buildings – Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards, 2016

Winner – Unusual Projects – Association of Consulting Structural Engineers NSW Awards, 2016

Winner – Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture, AIA National Architecture Awards, 2015

Winner – Sir Arthur G Stephenson Award for Commercial Architecture – NSW Architecture Awards, 2015

Winner – COLORBOND Award for Steel Architecture – NSW Architecture Awards, 2015

Commendation – Sustainable Architecture Award – NSW Architecture Awards, 2015

Winner – National Trust Award for Adaptive Reuse – National Trust Heritage Awards, 2015

Winner – Outstanding Construction Award – Master Builders Association of NSW Awards, 2015

Winner – Best Use of Glass Award – Master Builders Association of NSW Awards, 2015

Winner – Restoration of a Historic Building Award – Master Builders Association of NSW Awards, 2015

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White Bay Cruise Terminal Completed

50 Martin Place

A new benchmark for sustainable design

The project is an exemplar of how collaborative teams can push the boundaries of commercially driven architecture and inspire those who reside and work within it.

“A masterstroke is the introduction of two cylindrical glass shuttle lifts. The lifts glide through this grand space in which structure and mechanical equipment are reduced to an absolute minimum. The collaboration and innovation essential to achieve this outcome cannot be understated.”

“50 Martin Place is without doubt one of the most significant heritage refurbishments in Australian history… The project will be remembered for the roof, the stairs and the glass lifts – but there is, as we know, so much more.”

JPW acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and honours their continuing connection to lands, waters, skies, and communities.

We offer our respect to Elders past and those present – as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work.

50 Martin Place

A new benchmark for sustainable design

The project is an exemplar of how collaborative teams can push the boundaries of commercially driven architecture and inspire those who reside and work within it.

“A masterstroke is the introduction of two cylindrical glass shuttle lifts. The lifts glide through this grand space in which structure and mechanical equipment are reduced to an absolute minimum. The collaboration and innovation essential to achieve this outcome cannot be understated.”

“50 Martin Place is without doubt one of the most significant heritage refurbishments in Australian history… The project will be remembered for the roof, the stairs and the glass lifts – but there is, as we know, so much more.”

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JPW acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and honours their continuing connection to lands, waters, skies, and communities.

We offer our respect to Elders past and those present – as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work.