CONSTRUCTION has topped out at GPT Group’s new $320 million Parramatta office tower, the latest addition to the skyline of Sydney’s fast-changing second CBD.
Designed by Fender Katsalidis the 32 Smith St building has 26,500 sqm of office space and will be anchored by insurance giant QBE.
Fender Katsalidis director, Mark Curzon said 32 Smith St set to become one of the most sustainable commercial office towers in the Parramatta CBD upon completion.
The translucent office tower features an environmentally shaped shading system and landscaped external roof terraces, balconies throughout and a publicly accessible urban room.
In a Parramatta first, a glazed lift atrium, with glazed lifts to the southern façade, will let in natural light and offer 360-degree views for building occupants.
The Fender Katsalidis design was selected as the winner of a competition in 2017.
The architects worked in collaboration with sculptor Jamie North to deliver an integrated public art component that will be installed in the coming months. The practice also worked alongside the local Darug people as part of a historic and cultural overlay.
The New South Wales government recently announced an overhaul of planning controls for Parramatta’s CBD, hoping to create 50,000 new jobs and two million sqm of new commercial space in the process. The proposal includes expanding and protecting the commercial core of the CBD, a range of building heights across the CBD that allow for maximum heights where possible, and new floor space ratio controls that provide incentives for development that provide community benefits.
Parramatta’s office market has been one of the nation’s strongest performers in recent years, attracting major public and private sector users such as the New South Wales government and Westpac, as well as NAB, as a springboard for further growth.
According to the Property Council of Australia, almost a quarter of the new supply for non-CBD markets over 2020 will be delivered in Parramatta. Walker Corporation is progressing with its $3.2 billion Parramatta Square development, where the first stage opened earlier this year. Meanwhile, the Sydney Central City Planning Panel approved Australian Unity Office Fund’s development application increase the size of its 8,000 sqm building planned for 2-10 Valentine Ave to 28,000 sqm.
