The Quay Quarter Tower, designed by Danish practice 3xN and executive architect BVN, has earned international recognition after being named 2023’s Best Tall Building Worldwide by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).
The 49-storey office tower, located at 50 Bridge Street in Sydney’s Circular Quay, is composed of five volumes, with each volume stacked at a slightly different angle to delineate the building into human scale “vertical villages” or hubs.
The 49-storey office tower, located at 50 Bridge Street in Sydney’s Circular Quay, is composed of five volumes, with each volume stacked at a slightly different angle.
Image: Martin Siegner
The project involved repurposing the existing and out-of-date AMP Centre tower, built in 1976 by Peddle Thorp and Walker. Principal of BVN, Matthew Blair said “AMP Capital had an extraordinary vision to turn two city blocks at Circular Quay into liveable, inspirational and adaptable places that are knitted into the fabric of the city. The upcycling of Quay Quarter as part of this vision sets a new standard for reimagining tall buildings to sustainably develop our cities to diverse, liveable, accessible, long lasting places.”
By evading the wasteful activities of demolition and replacement, the design team managed to retain 65 per cent of the original structure such as beams and slabs, and 95 per cent of the building’s core. The project saved approximately 8,000 tonnes of embodied carbon emissions, as well as managed to achieve a 6-Star Green Star rating.
Using the existing bones to build upon, the architects prove the adaptive reuse of an ageing building can result in a beautiful, contemporary finish. The twisted Jenga-like form, composed of concrete-filled steel tubes, now optimizes views to the Sydney Harbour, while also reducing harsh heat absorption through external sunshade hoods.
The design team managed to retain 65 per cent of the original structure such as beams and slabs, and 95 per cent of the building’s core.
Image: Aran Anderson
Internally, floors are connected by a spiral staircase. Open atrium spaces assist the wayfinding process, while also encouraging social and visual interaction between users. Communal terraces, including a rooftop terrace are positioned around the tower to create a sense of community between office employees.
The project involved repurposing the existing and out-of-date AMP Centre tower, built in 1976 by Peddle Thorp and Walker.
Image: Aran Anderson
In addition to being crowned best worldwide, Quay Quarter was selected overall winner in six categories: Best Tall Building: Oceania, the Construction Award, the Structure Award, the Repositioning Award, and the Space Within Award.
Quay Quarter Tower was completed in early 2022 and is part of AMP Capital’s Quay Quarter Sydney precinct, which includes four other buildings designed by Studio Bright, Silvester Fuller, Carter Williamson and SJB, and landscape architecture by Aspect Studios. Quay Quarter Lanes also received the Urban Habitat Award.
