Six architecture firms have been selected to compete in a design competition for the redevelopment of a historic 125-year-old building in Sydney’s CBD.
The shortlisted candidates include five Australian practices – Hassell, Bates Smart, SJB, BVN and Candalepas Associates – and an an international practice DP Architects working in collaboration with Scott Carver Architects.
The practices will compete to design a 49-storey apartment and hotel tower above the City Tattersalls Club on Pitt Street, while FJMT will be the consultant for the heritage building.
Built in 1891, the City Tattersalls Club, designed by Sheerin and Hennessy, is state heritage listed as one of the few surviving city clubs of the late nineteenth century. The statement of significance describes the building as a “fine example of Late Victorian Free Classical architecture” and notes that the club “exhibits a confident adaptation of Classical elements to envelop a steel framed building expressing the lightness of structure in stonemasonry and timber.”
The development consortium – comprising Fist Sponsor, ICD Property and City Tattersalls Club – spent six months interviewing architecture firms around the world before shortlisting the candidates.
“The six shortlisted firms were chosen based on their expertise with hotels and residential projects, heritage architecture and their experience with the Sydney CBD,” said Alice Smith, development director of ICD Property, on behalf of the development group.
“We sought firms that were innovative and pushed the boundaries and weren’t afraid to challenge the norm, while still being able to create a timeless design that would contribute to Sydney’s urban fabric.”
The practices will now have five weeks to design their schemes before presenting their designs to a six-member jury who will select the winning scheme.
FJMT produced an indicative design as part of a stage on development application to secure building envelop approval from City of Sydney.
