Lendlease is starting construction on a net zero carbon commercial building above the new metro station in North Sydney, which will be fully electric and powered by 100 per cent renewables, targeting a Platinum WELL and 6-Star Green Star rating.
The 42-storey Victoria Cross Tower is a $1.2 billion transit-oriented commercial and retail precinct that will accommodate up to 7000 workers across approximately 58,000 square metres of premium office, retail and hospitality space.
The design by Bates Smart will promote a cooler local microclimate by including green public spaces, along with plants in outdoor balconies.
The development is due to be completed in 2024 as services begin on the new Sydney Metro City and Southwest line, which is an extension of the existing northwest metro service.
Peak hour services along the automated metro line will run every four minutes in each direction. This will provide fast, direct connections to other major commercial precincts including the Sydney CBD, Barangaroo, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, and Chatswood.
The network effects that flow from the integration of the metro station will also mean new, easily accessible job opportunities for new transit-orientated residential precincts at Epping, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, Rouse Hill and across southwest Sydney.
On ground level, the building’s lobby and multipurpose hub space will connect on to a laneway with more than 20 new retail and hospitality tenants, including shops, bars, cafés and restaurants.
Upon completion, the development will be 25 per cent owned by Lendlease’s flagship Australian office fund, APPF Commercial, becoming the first all-electric building in its portfolio.
The $1.2 billion precinct will see the building rise approximately one floor each week, supporting around 5000 jobs in fields such as engineering, construction and design, with 90 per cent of the workforce being local to the Sydney metro area.
Lendlease managing director of development, Tom Mackellar, said the development will supercharge North Sydney’s future development as an extension of the Sydney CBD.
“We know that North Sydney’s CBD is on a path of complete transformation, and connectivity will be key with the introduction of Sydney Metro’s new Victoria Cross Station.
“Victoria Cross Tower will stand at the centre of this transformation, in what will be a thriving new round-the-clock precinct, breathing new life into North Sydney.
“The office design represents the latest thinking in workplace and placemaking and will offer exceptional sustainability credentials, modern workspaces that facilitate flexible and collaborative working, as well as iconic Sydney Harbour, Harbour Bridge and CBD views from upper levels.”