Lendlease has enlisted restaurateur Maurice Terzini and publican Michael Broome to help reboot Sydney CBD bar Jacksons on George as part of the new ground-level precinct at its Circular Quay tower.
The landmark restaurant and pub closed its doors in 2018 and was demolished to make way for the Foster and Partners-designed premium office tower at 180 George Street, dubbed Salesforce Tower.
Lendlease will now work with DTL Entertainment Group, led by Paul Ford and Steve Bannigan, to relaunch the Sydney institution as part of a separate $16-million building at the base of its 55-level tower.
The restarurant building will be at the centre of its new public plaza facing Pitt Street and George Street.
Terzini—best known for his role as the powerhouse behind the fine-dining destination Icebergs Dining Room and Bar in Bondi Beach—will bring his touches to a new three-level, 1800sq m modern restaurant.
No stranger to Sydney, Terzini has managed upwards of 20 restaurants and businesses across Sydney and Melbourne during his 30-year career.
“It’s been a tough few years for Sydney’s hospitality industry but we’re committed and more than ready to turn this around,” Terzini said.
“It’s time to become a global city again.
“At Jacksons, we’re creating an innovative, exciting destination where the food and drinks will be simple and elegant, the service will be traditional, and the atmosphere will be unforgettable.”
The restaurant has been designed by local architects Studio Hollenstein following a design competition in 2016 for the redevelopment of Jacksons on George.
At the time, the brief called for a public and inviting building with active edges, open frontages, flexibility and a rooftop venue.
The gastro pub will be wrapped in a white ceramic veil and will feature a new restaurant, laneway retail, and an outdoor rooftop bar overlooking the new George Street public plaza and laneway network.
Lendlease head of leasing Simon Van de Velde said with the expertise of DTL Entertainment, the restaurant would draw inspiration from the rich history of Circular Quay and aim to create a welcoming and sophisticated atmosphere as an around-the-clock destination.
“We’ve reached yet another important milestone for Sydney Place, as we engage with Maurice Terzini of DTL Entertainment to breathe new life into an old favourite,” Van de Velde said.
“Leveraging our global expertise in placemaking, we’re taking this exciting next step for the precinct by re-inventing the iconic Jacksons on George.”
The restaurant is due for completion in line with Salesforce Tower, one of 10 towers the cloud-based software company has under way globally including in San Francisco, New York and Tokyo.
The $1.5-billion project, which upon completion early next year will be recognised as Sydney’s tallest office building, includes development partners Ping An Real Estate and Mitsubishi Estate Asia.
Lendlease first lodged plans for the commercial development with the City of Sydney in 2014.
The building’s tenants include global software company Salesforce, early-stage investment group Investible’s new shared office space, Greenhouse, and Australia’s largest commercial property services firm, JLL.
