Project Focus: PBD To Create 15-Storey George Street Hotel

The proposal for PBD Architects' 15 storey hotel development with retail in the lower podium levels features 127 hotel rooms with a sky terrace and three levels of retail from lower ground to first floor at 746-750A George Street, Haymarket.

The Hotel gives the opportunity to restore the existing heritage façade of 750-750A George St to its original condition, using a similar solid-to-void relationship of the heritage facades, the podium aligns itself across both buildings to create a continuous streetscape continuing from 744 George St to 750 George St.

The site is located at the southern edge of the city and is bounded on the north by Haymarket Library on Hay Street (three storey heritage building), and to the south by a five-storey commercial building (hostel). Along the eastern boundary lies building service access on Parker Lane, and the western boundary faces George Street.

The proposal includes:

1. Demolition of the existing 3-4 storey commercial buildings

2. Preservation of existing heritage facade along 750 George Street and Parker Lane

3. A maximum height plane to align with the current planning controls

4. A maximum floor space ratio of 9:1 (7.5:1 plus bonus 1.5:1)

5. Loading dock and back of house services provision from Parker Lane

6. Provision for new retails spaces accessed from George Street (over three levels)

7. Hotel use from podium (127 rooms and associated facilities)

A two metre setback void behind the existing heritage façade to 750 George St creates a buffer to the heritage façade and creates a sunny light well, bringing natural light into the hotel rooms below. Along the new podium a complementary warm marble/sandstone materially reinterprets the classic sandstone finish to provide a subtle setting from where the building can be appreciated. An articulated recess identifies the entry point to the hotel lobby.

Floor to floor glass runs up the entire entry recess to give a visible indicator of occupancy and activity, as well as tying in the old and new portion of the podium. Retail levels on first floor through to basement activate the street. The existing brick heritage façade facing Parker Lane is reintegrated into the podium with fenestrations being reintroduced to the façade. The podium reinterprets the language of the brick facade to create tall stone elements running up the length of the podium to align with the brick façade.

To the north and overlooking the library, the architects have created a pattern of precast concrete panels and treated metal cladding that they suggest is inspired by the pattern of stacked library bookshelves acknowledging the Haymarket Library next door.

The 11-storey tower sits above the podium and is set back 10m from George Street along the heritage façade and eight metres along the rest of the podium to create a landscaped sky terrace for occupant amenity. The tower is designed to lighten its scale and appearance through the use of different material palettes.