Tall & Urban News

13-Story Mass Timber Design Approved in Sydney

Ariel view, Westfield Sydney, Market Street, Sydney NSW, Australia. Photo by Jimmy Whitson on Unsplash
Ariel view, Westfield Sydney, Market Street, Sydney NSW, Australia. Photo by Jimmy Whitson on Unsplash
31 January 2025 | Sydney, Australia

Approval has been received for the construction of a 13-story mass-timber high-rise at 4-6 York Street in Sydney's central business district. The approved design replaces an earlier plan from 2019 that specified a structure of precast concrete, aluminum, and marble of a different design firm.

The new building, set on a 611-square-meter site, will provide 6,594 square meters of retail and commercial space. An outdoor terrace on level 8 and potential restaurant and entertainment spaces on the upper floors will require additional approvals from the city. The structure will incorporate reusable timber and steel components, reflecting a sustainable approach.

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The historic 341 George Street property was a former Bank of New South Wales and Westpac building and was sold in 2002 for AUD$57 million. The newly approved design considers the site's subterranean railway tunnels and uses a hybrid concrete and steel core to distribute the building's load.

Representatives from the design team highlight the environmental benefits of using mass timber construction, citing previous successful projects such as International House Sydney and Daramu House. Timber buildings continue to gain in popularity among tenants seeking sustainable office spaces, and are driving higher rental values for these features.

This approval comes as construction progresses on another major timber-hybrid development in Sydney, Atlassian's AUD$1.4 billion, 180-meter tall skyscraper in Haymarket.

Learn more at The Urban Developer