Located in the heart of The Rocks in Sydney’s CBD, George consists of two main buildings: a restored 1843 bond store, and a new building that provides its support facilities, including a commercial kitchen, bathrooms, stairs, elevators and bar/ foyer areas.
This ‘service building’ allows the bond store to be free of bulky additions, so that the original walls, roof and floor structures are clearly legible. In addition to the brief, we have created an on-grade link through to a lost garden located at the rear of these buildings. This intervention activates the space and provides secondary access to a dozen neighbouring buildings.
Expand ContentThe new architecture is an honest expression of its function. A dramatic spiral stair that connects all floors, is realised externally as a cylinder. The façade appears to peel away from this central drum with two cantilevered walls. The upper edge of these walls aligns with the neighbouring buildings, thereby creating a sense of unity and harmony with its neighbours. Made from local brick, with a special offset-diagonal bond, this loadbearing material speaks to the heritage of the area. It is complemented by black oiled steel window frames, portals and service cupboards, which each have very fine and raw details.
The new contemporary infill building creates a gateway to the lost garden/ future courtyard at the rear and denotes a keystone project in the transformation of The Rocks. This new public space is bound by a historic sandstone cutting from the original quarry of The Rocks, and the backyard of the neighbouring terrace houses, which are some of the oldest in Sydney. This courtyard space will give all the terraces a double aspect. It will also enliven them and allow barrier-free access to each.
The new sculptural structure connects five floors, including a basement and a rooftop terrace with district and harbour views. Two lifts have been integrated to provide passenger and service access to all floors. Back of house facilities, including a commercial kitchen, stores, plant and staff amenities have been relocated to the basement, allowing maximum enjoyment of tenants and visitors alike. George will be a keystone project in the transformation of The Rocks.
