The Urban Developer
AdvertiseEventsWebinars
Urbanity
Awards
Sign In
Membership
Latest
Menu
Location
Sector
Category
Content
Type
Newsletters
Untitled design (8)
FIRST RELEASE TICKETS ON SALE FOR URBANITY-25 THE UNMISSABLE EVENT FOR PROPERTY PROFESSIONALS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC
FIRST TICKETS ON SALE FOR URBANITY-25 UNMISSABLE FOR PROPERTY PROFESSIONALS
SEE DETAILSDETAILS
TheUrbanDeveloper
Follow
About
About Us
Membership
Awards
Events
Webinars
Listings
Partner Lab
Resources
Terms & Conditions
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy
Republishing Guidelines
Editorial Charter
Complaints Handling Policy
Contact
General Enquiries
Advertise
Contribution Enquiry
Project Submission
Membership Enquiry
Newsletter
Stay up to date and with the latest news, projects, deals and features.
Subscribe
ADVERTISEMENT
SHARE
print
Print
Renee McKeownWed 27 Sep 23

Investa Files BtR Conversion for MLC Building

The 1957 MLC Building viewed from the corner of Miller Street and the Pacific Hwy.

North Sydney’s first commercial tower could be converted into build-to-rent as the MLC Building saga takes a new turn.

Investa now wants to turn the iconic MLC Building into a mixed-use development with 340 apartments and 2500sq m of retail at 105-153 Miller Street, North Sydney.

While the office space would be converted, the project would retain the existing squash courts and give residents access to a recreational roof-top, playroom and gym. 

It is a big change from Investa’s $500-million commercial tower plans which including demolishing the MLC Building, prompting a heritage listing from the NSW government architect.

The MLC Building currently provides 600,000sq m of floor space across 14 storeys. The “existing layout does not permit individual tenancies” and “is not considered a viable offering”.

“The site’s zoning prohibits uses other than commercial or similar uses, which is not considered economically viable,” the Ethos Urbin report said. 

“The proposed use as build-to-rent is considered the most appropriate based on the site’s strategic context.”

Investa MLC Building knocked back
▲ A render of the office tower Investa planned to replace the MLC Building with.

The 6640sq m site south of the future Victoria Cross Metro Station may instead improve housing supply and diversity in the area.

“The building was constructed in 1957 and represents a pre-eminent example of post-World-War II high-rise office building,” the report said.

“The building was recognised as a refinement of the multi-storey office building in Australia, and it was the first office building to be built in North Sydney, a catalyst for decentralisation away from the Sydney CBD.”

a black and white image of the commercial MLC Building and Sydney Harbour Bridge
▲ The modernist post-war international tower by architects Bates, Smart & McCutcheon has been vacant since 2022.

The state significant project’s scoping report was completed and the next step in the application process was for an enviromental impact statement to be submitted.

North Sydney is about to undergo rapid transformation with the approved 42-storey over station development by Lendlease taking shape.

Meanwhile, Billbergia Group topped out its 88 Walker Street project last week marking the tallest tower in North Sydney. It is cantilevered over the heritage-listed Firehouse Hotel.

null
AUTHOR
Renee McKeown
More articles by this author
ADVERTISEMENT
TOP STORIES
North Melbourne Craigieburn HB Land EDM
Exclusive

Tribunal Finding Cruels 1000-Home Melbourne Plan

Clare Burnett
5 Min
Roseville Hycorp EDM
Exclusive

Ku-ring-gai TOD Backflip Slashes 1500 Homes from Under-Way Developments

Clare Burnett
7 Min
Exclusive

Housing Fix Sprint Begins with New Top Planner Pushing 13 Regional Plans

Phil Bartsch
8 Min
Elanor Investors Tweed Mall masterplan
Exclusive

Tweed Marks Time as $900m Mall Redevelopment Goes Quiet

Renee McKeown
6 Min
High-density residential construction in Melbourne
Exclusive

Stabilising Conditions in Melbourne Bring Hopes of Improved Feasibility

Leon Della Bosca
6 Min
View All >
Victorian treasurer Jaclyn Symes' first budget has made infrastructure a winner but left the property sector behind.
Policy

Victoria’s Infrastructure Program Wins Budget Blessing

Marisa Wikramanayake
RBA announce May rate cut HERO
Policy

‘Undervalued’ Melbourne to Reap Rate Cut Advantage

Leon Della Bosca
Renewal SA's four-bay aircraft hanger facility in Adelaide's northern suburbs, the DMMF being built by BESIX Watpac.
Other

Adelaide’s $200m Defence Megastructure Moves Ahead

Marisa Wikramanayake
Australia’s RAAF will not be the only air force to benefit from the aircraft modification facility due to complete next …
LATEST
Victorian treasurer Jaclyn Symes' first budget has made infrastructure a winner but left the property sector behind.
Policy

Victoria’s Infrastructure Program Wins Budget Blessing

Marisa Wikramanayake
4 Min
RBA announce May rate cut HERO
Policy

‘Undervalued’ Melbourne to Reap Rate Cut Advantage

Leon Della Bosca
6 Min
Renewal SA's four-bay aircraft hanger facility in Adelaide's northern suburbs, the DMMF being built by BESIX Watpac.
Other

Adelaide’s $200m Defence Megastructure Moves Ahead

Marisa Wikramanayake
2 Min
North Melbourne Craigieburn HB Land EDM
Exclusive

Tribunal Finding Cruels 1000-Home Melbourne Plan

Clare Burnett
5 Min
View All >
ADVERTISEMENT
Article originally posted at: https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/investa-mlc-building-build-to-rent-conversion-plans