MLC Centre receives $150 million facelift with new design

The owners of the MLC Centre in Sydney have released the plans for a new four-level podium that will be added to the building’s forecourt.

The podium is designed by Harry Seidler & Associates and Woods Bagot and will feature a new lobby and ‘glass drum’ entrance to the commercial tower.

The GPT Group and QIC have submitted a development application for the $150 million proposal that is a part of the ongoing redevelopment of the building that will also include $330 million of refurbishment works for the tower and food court.

GPT’s Head of Investment Management for ­Office and Logistics David Burgess told The Australian, “we've made significant progress on the redevelopment of the MLC food court ... and the refurbishment of tower floors has been completed,” he said.

“The MLC Centre is a renowned precinct and the visionary design that was at the core of Harry Seidler’s original building is integral to the ongoing ­redevelopment.

“Seidler created a flexible and sustainable destination where people could gather for both business and pleasure, and this project is reviving and advancing his original vision for the site,” Mr Burgess said.

The octagonal design of the buildings base meant it only occupied 20 per cent of the site with the additional area for the plaza and outdoor areas. The new design will complement the current design but use 80 per cent of the site.

The 67 level tower, already a total size of 73 700 square metres, currently includes an extensive retail complex, outdoor areas, car parking and the Theatre Royal.

The redevelopment will include 6000 square metres of new shops, restaurants, cafes and bars along Castlereagh and King Street.

It will provide access to the laneways to the west of the tower and will provide additional public seating in the plaza area adjacent to Martin Place.

The building was built in 1977 and was once the tallest concrete office building in the Southern Hemisphere.