George Street building to receive $16 million facelift
Image: The George Street building at Martin Place will receive over $16 million for a facelift. Photo: Paul Patterson/City of Sydney.
By PATRICK MCKENZIE
A heritage-listed building on George Street is set to receive a $16.6 million facelift, with the first stage to be complete by December next year.
The Palazzo-style building at 343 George Street features 11 office floors and basement storage, and is currently home to the Sydney flagship store of luxury fashion company Burberry, and one of several city offices held by Australian software company Atlassian.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said that the staged remediation works were vital for preserving the structure into the future.
“343 George Street forms an important group of buildings overlooking George Street and visually closing off the western end of Martin Place, one of Sydney’s most important and accessible civic spaces,” Cr Moore said.
“It’s where people gather, where we host major cultural events, display our largest Christmas tree, and the backdrop for some of the nation’s most enduring traditions, including the Anzac Day dawn service. Ensuring the longevity of heritage-listed buildings framing this space, and lining our newly pedestrianised George Street boulevard, is vital.”
Preserving the past of George Street
The building was constructed across two stages in 1921 and 1925 and was first called ‘Barrack House’. Previously, the site had been the headquarters of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney.
City of Sydney historian Dr Lisa Murray said the building was a “significant example of the city’s interwar architecture”.
“Martin Place was widened and extended by the city council between 1923 and 1925. Lined with imposing banks and insurance buildings, Martin Place became a destination that aimed to impress. The grand designs and lavish materials conveyed prestige as well as wealth, strength and security.”
The building was refurbished in 1986. Its facade was further refurbished in 1991 with interior renovation occurring in 2006.
The upcoming works will begin in June, with remediation works to cement render, concrete, steel and bronze windows and copper weatherings on the Barrack Lane facade.
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