Liberty Place

Liberty Place is not a singular tower form but a rich interplay of three slender architectural forms inspired by the unique qualities of this wonderful Sydney CBD site.

Liberty Place unites public, corporate, hospitality and retail architecture into a cohesive environment. The development is an amalgamation of five sites comprising of a premium A-Grade forty-four storey commercial tower, a penthouse apartment, a heritage-listed building (Legion House) and a three storey office and retail building (167 Castlereagh street). Located in the heart of Sydney city, Liberty Place has dual frontages to 161 Castlereagh street and 242 Pitt street. Recognition of the sites specificity and its inherent attributes results in an articulated assemblage of elements (ground plane, street walls, tower elements and landscape). The rich interplay of architectural forms creates a dynamic public space and reinvigorates a previously run down mid-city area.

The ANZ tower with its distinctive sinuous form and striking glass-walled facade has seamlessly redefined the city skyline. The tower has become an iconic reference point, with a rooftop feature thats dramatically captures and breaks the light. Consisting of a retail and dining precinct, public open spaces, a sunlit plaza and pedestrian lane way connecting Castlereagh Street and Pitt Street, the base of the tower invites the energy of the city into the development. The light-filled pedestrian lane way provides a unique ground plane and entry into the commercial tower.

The Castlereagh street frontage includes the heritage-listed building Legion House. Consideration of the site’s rich history and a contemporary design approach results in an authentic juxtaposition of new and heritage elements. Restoring and redeveloping Legion House enhanced its overall utility and environmental performance. With a 6-Star Green Star (Office v3 Design) rating, the six storey ‘Autonomous Zero Carbon Life Cycle Building’ generates renewable electricity on site resulting in zero net carbon emissions. Receiving little sun or wind, Legion House receives its energy from a process called biomass gasification. This technology converts biomass (plant sourced) materials to a combustible gas that generates electricity.

Liberty Place not only a celebrates the public domain, but embodies significant architectural and environmental innovation. The development successfully balances urbanism, heritage and sustainability considerations with commercial requirements to create a rich and considered architectural expression.

fjmt | francis-jones morehen thorp