Urban renewal

While the concept of urban regeneration has been around for a while, the latest mixed-use development to come on stream in the Sydney CBD sets a new benchmark. The Regent Place project in George St, developed by Frasers Property, has not only animated the precinct, but also introduced globally significant architecture to a prominent, historic site.

Designed by London-based Foster + Partners, with documentation by PTW Architects, Regent Place comprises the 48-storey Lumiére Residences apartment building, featured on these pages, and the 33-storey Fraser Suites Sydney hotel.

Frasers Property chief operating officer Nicholas Wolff says Regent Place was conceived as a vertical village.

"A traditional village is defined by the web of connections between the working, recreational, retail and family lives of its residents. Regent Place was designed as the 21st-century interpretation of this concept."

Wolff says elements of village life are consolidated: living spaces range from studios to Sky Penthouses, matching the diversity of opportunity and community in a traditional village; working places and consumer amenities are located both within Regent Place and within immediate proximity; and recreational facilities and opportunities for social interaction are provided.

The site, which is located on the main George Street axis, opposite St Andrew's Cathedral and close to the Town Hall, had been vacant since the old Regent Theatre was demolished in 1989. Wolff says the area had been in need of regeneration especially as it had effectively closed down after working hours.

"The strategic importance of this location presented one of the key challenges for the project the city council had very specific objectives regarding the massing and the floor plate for the towers, and a scheme was developed to matched those requirements exactly."

Wolff says that by introducing mixed-use buildings, and bringing in 1000 residents, the development has contributed to the animation of this urban quarter.

"Regent Place has also changed the previously low-rise nature of the site by creating a high-rise precedent a number of further towers are under construction."

The development consists of two towers that appear to float above a five-storey sandstone podium that contains retail, commercial and leisure spaces. The podium base is divided into a series of building blocks that reflect the height and scale of the adjacent historic buildings. Wolff says the space between the sandstone portals that frame each block connects with glazed elements to provide a network of through-site links. The glazing between the sandstone portals is articulated by deep vertical framing elements to provide deep shading, which references the adjacent historic facade proportions and details.

"In addition, the pedestrian links through the mixed retail, office and recreational spaces within the podium provide a lively reinvention of the traditional Sydney top-lit arcades."

The two towers become increasingly transparent as they rise into the sky, and provide a point of reference for the central Sydney skyline.

The Lumiére Residences tower comprises a cluster of eight tall, slender volumes supported by a central core. The tower's floating effect is accentuated by the distinctive, flush, black-glazed necking of the facade immediately above the podium. Its strong vertical form is further enhanced by innovative projecting fins featuring finely ribbed cladding and bullnosed edging. Between each fin, the full-height glazing provides a double-storey module with clear, light- and dark-grey glass in horizontal bands.

The entrance lobby is a triple-height glazed space that opens onto Bathurst Street, opposite the historic St Andrews Cathedral.

"The scale of this dramatic space relates to the neighbouring landmarks," says Wolff. "And the transparency of the entrance ensures good views to the Cathedral, and a strong relationship between the private world of the tower and its urban context. The glass wall also reflects the cathedral and water feature. This marks the entrance, enlivening the way in which the building meets the ground, and acting as a buffer between the lobby and the street."

Other key features of the podium include a 50m-long indoor-outdoor pool incorporating a 7m x 3m clear acrylic vision panel. As well as providing a distinctive architectural feature, this window allows dappled sunlight to penetrate the lobby entry below.

Elsewhere, the design is also defined by the architects' preoccupation with Australian light natural light penetrates all foyers and the minimal common walls. On upper floors, glass loggias blur the boundary between inside and out. The design of the loggias allows tenants to tailor their outdoor living space to suite climate conditions. But while the natural light and outlook are maximised, the seamless look of the facade is retained.

For more information, contact Frasers Property Australia, Level 11, 488 Kent St, Sydney, NSW 2000, phone (02) 8823 8800, fax (02) 8823 8801. Website: www.frasersproperty.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas