39 Martin Place is a 28-storey tower located above the southern entrance of the Sydney Martin Place Metro Station. It seamlessly integrates with Australia’s biggest public transport project – the Sydney Metro, providing pedestrian access at street levels and natural light deep into the station.
Tzannes was first engaged to undertake a Peer Review of the Martin Place Metro Precinct plan, and later conducted a comprehensive urban design investigation for the Martin Place Metro Precinct. As a result of our strategic involvement, Tzannes was then engaged to design 39 Martin Place as one of the precinct’s two key over-station buildings. Our urban analysis resulted in new development controls that reduced tower setbacks, increased commercial floorspace, reduced overshadowing and the guidelines that established more refined and place specific architecture.
The tower exemplifies a new generation of tall buildings that deliver appropriate density, integrate new infrastructure and contribute to the improvement of the design of the public domain, interconnecting layers of urban relationships to become an extension of the city.
The development of 39 Martin Place required highly considered urban design and architecture above and below ground level. The history of the building opposite—the 1920s heritage-listed 50 Martin Place—is explicitly acknowledged and celebrated. The composition of 39 Martin Place speaks to the major order of columns of 50 Martin Place, while the new liquid glass of its top podium levels correlate to the cornice and window treatment of the heritage building. Responding to the surface treatment of 50 Martin Place, ceramic tiles are used as the primary finishing material.
Set 8 metres back from the podium in deference to its sensitive setting, the tower is designed to be subordinate to the podium in expression when viewed from Martin Place as well as reflective to improve light quality at street level. Above the podium a terrace creates a void to separate the tower form above. Ceramic finishes continue on the tower to sculpted corner columns, the southern core, service risers and plant rooms top and bottom, wrapping the glass components that has a character similar to a conservatory. Strong masonry, deep reveals, distinctive contemporary forms, well-conceived details and integration with the interior architecture including the art of the metro station defines the architectural character of 39 Martin Place.
Through rigorous analysis and design, this development successfully delivers design excellence, urban intensification, placemaking and heritage sensitive elements to underpin an enduring commercial investment.
