Multiplex has completed the heritage redevelopment of Brookfield Properties’ 285 George Street, delivering a boutique 10-level mixed-use building in the heart of Sydney’s CBD at Wynyard.
Multiplex has transformed the historic Peapes Menswear building into a boutique building comprising a total net lettable area of 2,545 square metres. The building, the final structure to be completed within Brookfield Place Sydney, comprises five levels of office space on top of four retail levels and also features a rooftop terrace accessible from 10 Carrington Street.
Developed by Brookfield Properties and designed by leading architects Make, 285 George Street seamlessly blends the old with the new, mixing heritage and new build architecture to create contemporary finishes.
Multiplex Regional Managing Director David Ghannoum said the renovation represents a new standard for heritage building redevelopments, breathing new life into the historic Sydney CBD building.
“The refurbishment of 285 George Street demonstrates how adaptive reuse can preserve history and add character, vital in creating vibrant new precincts in the CBD,” he said.
“285 George Street has achieved uncompromising development quality, working through operational challenges during the pandemic’s various restrictions.”
Multiplex noted one of the greatest challenges to construction was upgrading 285 George Street to comply with current building regulations whilst providing future flexibility for tenant fit-outs.
Multiplex drew on its specialist heritage redevelopment credentials, adopting innovative strategies to future proof the integrity of the timber structure for tenant fit-outs. Enhancing the building’s sustainability and giving new life to disused materials, Multiplex salvaged the old timber flooring and repurposed it in feature lobbies on each commercial office floor.
Multiplex also developed a façade retention system to remove and replace existing timber flooring and joists to reinstate the heritage boards of the building. Retained and restored external heritage elements include the façade, windows, and roof tiles. Internally, the timber column cladding, timber flooring, and window architraves were also retained and restored.
According to Multiplex, some 400 people worked on the project throughout the 10-month construction timeline, with 50 people on site each day.
Brookfield Place Sydney was completed early in 2021 and sits within the prestigious family of Brookfield Place destinations globally. The precinct connects Wynyard Station to George Street, and comprises a new 27-level office tower with an additional 6,000 square metres of premium retail space.
