Belingbak and ICD Property launch design excellence competition for 372 Pitt Street
Joint venture development partners ICD Property and Belingbak have commenced a design competition for their redevelopment of a Sydney CBD tower.
The 372-382A Pitt Street project will see five of Australia’s most renowned architects submit their future vision for the site, with the winner set to be appointed as the project’s architect.
Competing in the process is Woods Bagot, Neeson Murcutt & Neille partnered with Bates Smart, Kelly Hill Architects partnered with Crone, Fitzpatrick & Partners partnered with Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, and fjmt studio – who will each design and present their interpretation for the future CBD tower before a jury of independent judges in January 2023.
The low-rise commercial building in Sydney’s CBD tech precinct is set to be transformed into a 58-storey tower comprising 30 luxury residences, along with a 297-room hotel and a collection of retail, entertainment, food and public art offerings.
ICD Property and Belingbak hope the competitive design process will fuel inspiration and uncover the highest and best design outcome for the aspirational tower.
ICD Property’s CEO Matt Khoo said they intentionally selected five distinct architecture teams to participate in 372 Pitt’s design competition, endeavouring to arrive at five very unique possibilities for the site.
Speaking to why no international architects were invited to compete, Khoo said it was important to utilise local talent.
“With the tower set to become a future landmark in Sydney’s urban fabric, we wanted it to be a reflection of the city’s inimitable charm, history, and people. It’s a very rare opportunity to be part of a skyline-defining tower in one of the world’s most famous cities,” Khoo said.
“The personal touch each local architect we selected could bring to this process felt necessary to do justice to our vision of a tower that will hopefully one day join the ranks of its neighbouring iconic landmarks.”
The developers are looking for the architects to celebrate the current building typology, with an activated street frontage and a diverse offering.
Belingbak’s founding Director, Jack Montgomery said the patina and character the surrounding buildings offer is priceless.
“The celebration of these elements will in turn provide for a captivating, inviting street frontage with an array of uses. Our vision for a vertical integrated tower will come to life as the new tower form takes shape,“ he said.
372 Pitt’s design competition officially commenced in November, with ICD and Belingbak aiming to announce a winner in January next year.