Uni Plan for Sydney’s MLC Centre Clears Planning Hurdle

A $354-million proposal to transform North Sydney’s heritage-listed MLC Building into a vertical university campus has been recommended for approval, a significant step in the evolution of the precinct into a mixed-use education and commercial hub.

The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has backed the adaptive reuse of the former commercial office complex at 105–153 Miller Street, concluding the project’s benefits outweigh its impacts.

The plan, filed by Investa, proposes that the 1957-built landmark—widely regarded as Australia’s first post-war highrise office building—be partially retained and reimagined as a 21-storey tertiary education facility with ground-floor retail.

Which university would take up residency in the building has not been revealed.

The scheme centres on preserving the Miller Street wing, while demolishing much of the Denison Street wing to make way for a contemporary addition designed to support modern education requirements, including larger floorplates and updated building standards.

It follows a broader trend flagged in a North Sydney MLC Building Investa office approved university SSD Miller report, which highlights the growing role of adaptive reuse in repositioning ageing commercial assets amid shifting demand and the rise of education-led precincts.

The state found the project aligned with key strategic planning frameworks, including the Greater Sydney Region Plan and North District Plan, citing its role in delivering social infrastructure and supporting job growth within the North Sydney CBD.

With an estimated development cost of $354.2 million, the campus is expected to generate 307 construction jobs and about 870 ongoing roles once operational.

Despite concerns raised during public exhibition—including objections relating to height, heritage impacts and the shift to an education use—the state determined these issues had been adequately addressed through design refinements and conditions.

Heritage considerations were central to the assessment, with the site listed on the State Heritage Register for its pioneering curtain wall design and significance in the evolution of office architecture in Australia.

▲ Renderings of part of the transformation design by FJCStudio: The podium terrace before and after (top) and Brett Whitely Place before and after.

While the redevelopment would involve substantial internal demolition, the department concluded the approach strikes an acceptable balance between conservation and viability, ensuring the building can meet contemporary standards while retaining its most prominent architectural elements.

The project also addresses longstanding flooding constraints on the site, with plans to raise the ground floor and introduce mitigation measures to improve safety and resilience during major storm events.

Urban design outcomes were also deemed appropriate, with the proposal enhancing street activation through retail uses and improved public domain connections, particularly along Miller Street and near the Victoria Cross Metro Station.

In its decision, the department concluded the redevelopment would revitalise a key site within the North Sydney Centre, supporting its transition into a more diverse and globally competitive CBD.

The final decision now rests with the planning minister’s delegate, but the recommendation signals strong planning support for one of the most significant adaptive reuse projects currently proposed for Sydney’s North Shore.

▲ The modernist post-war international style MLC Centre by architects Bates, Smart & McCutcheon is regarded as Australia’s first office highrise.