305-Metre Tower Approval Set to Reshape Sydney Skyline

A 305-metre office tower in Sydney’s CBD is set to become one of the city’s tallest buildings, after the City of Sydney endorsed a planning proposal by Dexus for the site at 56–60 Pitt Street and 3 Spring Street.

The proposal aligns with the Central Sydney Planning Strategy, a comprehensive framework adopted in 2016 to guide growth over 20 years.

The strategy, which took three years to complete and marked the most significant planning overhaul of the CBD in four decades, raised allowable building heights in select areas from 235 metres to beyond 300 metres.

It paved the way for concentrated clusters of skyscrapers in zones like Circular Quay, Barangaroo and Haymarket, unlocking billions in commercial opportunities.

According to planning documents, the project aims to promote economic growth, design excellence and environmental sustainability.

While the development supports the goals of the strategy and is expected to bolster the CBD’s global competitiveness, some concerns were raised during public consultation.

Lord Mayor: tower “essential for Sydney as a globally competitive city”

As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, multiple submissions warned the “supertall” tower could negatively impact the existing built form and heritage streetscape of Bridge Street, one of the city’s oldest corridors.

In response, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the planning strategy aims to manage vertical growth responsibly.

“If we want Sydney to maintain its status as a global city and economic powerhouse, it’s vital that we safeguard economic floor space whilst allowing residential development to continue in the city centre,” she said.

“These buildings will provide future workplaces that are in line with what business expects and that are essential for Sydney as a globally competitive city.”

The approved development will deliver up to 90,000 square metres of premium office space over 70 storeys, rising from the commercial core near Circular Quay.

First submitted in May 2024, the proposal was amended to address Gateway Determination requirements before receiving final approval.

The tower will feature a retail-activated pedestrian link from Pitt Street to Gresham and Spring Streets, as well as a new public plaza fronting Bridge Street, which will be dedicated to the City of Sydney.

Residential use is not permitted under the approved controls, ensuring the space is reserved for employment-generating functions. A competitive design competition was held to select the architectural scheme, meeting the City’s design excellence requirements.

With final approval granted, the planning proposal will proceed to implementation, alongside the site-specific amendment to the Sydney Development Control Plan and the endorsed Voluntary Planning Agreement.