Sydney’s First Skyscraper Reveals Golden Makeover

Sydney’s first skyscraper is glowing once again as its $200-million transformation nears completion, with the iconic 33 Alfred Street tower unveiling a renewed golden facade.

The 26-storey extensive refurbishment features 5000 individual panels maintaining its distinctive east and west elevation design, while delivering enhanced natural light and harbour views from its Circular Quay site.

The attachment of 75,782 tiles, created by the Netherlands’ oldest ceramics company, Tichelaar, gave the building a lustrous sparkle, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

Dexus general manager, office development Nicholas Wilkinson said the group was “excited to be giving 33 Alfred Street a new lease of life that will transform it into a modern, sustainable workplace where teams can collaborate, innovate and build culture, while retaining its unique heritage”.

The installation, managed by construction partner Built, involves about 200 facade panels per floor, each measuring 3.8m high and 1.2m wide.

Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW) architects designed the modern panels to honour the building’s heritage while meeting contemporary standards.

JPW director Matthew Morel said the “renewal is the sensitive and innovative upgrade of the facade to meet contemporary workplace standards while retaining its distinctive gold and aluminium character”.

33 Alfred Street: Before and after

The development targets a 5.5-star NABERS Energy rating and a 6-Star Green Star rating, incorporating high-performance facade glass to enhance thermal efficiency.

The circa 31,000sq m building will complete the Quay Quarter Sydney precinct, offering tenants access to amenities at Quay Quarter Tower and Quay Quarter Lanes.

Opened in 1962 by then-prime minister Robert Menzies, the 117m tower was Australia’s first structure to break the 46m height limit.

▲ JPW suggested the removal of the pebblecrete to “reinstate a reinterpretation of those original tile walls”. Image: City of Sydney archives.

The building featured innovative elements including seawater air-conditioning and an observation deck offering unprecedented Harbour views.

The refurbishment cost represents a 20-30 per cent saving compared to a rebuild.

Moore praised the renovation over a knock-down approach, which she said limited the “impact of demolition and construction … critical to reducing our emissions”.

▲ The tower will have “a new lease of life that will transform it into a modern, sustainable workplace”, the owners said.

The project, co-owned by Dexus Wholesale Property Fund and Mirvac Wholesale Office Fund, is scheduled for completion in mid-2025.

Commercial tenants, primarily leading legal firms, will occupy the premium-grade office space.

The NSW Heritage Council is considering the building for state heritage registration.