Government shortlists two groups for Hunter Street offices
The state government has shortlisted two groups to develop two skyscrapers over the Hunter Street Metro.
In a surprise, billionaire publican Justin Hemmes’ Merivale is an appearance, part of a consortia, Metropolis, also with Lendlease, Mirvac and Coombes Property Group.
Brookfield is the other candidate; it recently completed a $2 billion over-station project at nearby Wynyard.
The shortlist announcement comes four months since NSW Sydney Metro unveiled an indicative plan for the airspace allowing for two offices up to 50 floors – or c270 metres – Hunter Street East, with 84,287 square metres, and Hunter Street West (70,000 sqm).
Lower level retail and hospitality is also anticipated.
Grand plans
The Hunter Street Metro, with two entrances from four streets – Bligh, George, Hunter and O’Connell – will connect to Sydney’s suburban train network and light rail.
“This is an opportunity to create a place that has everything Sydney is famous for: boldness, energy, confidence and community,” a Metropolis spokesperson said (story continues below).
“The Metropolis consortium brings together a diverse team that recognises the potential for this project to revitalise and transform this iconic part of Sydney CBD,” they added.
The bid comes six months since Merivale purchased four mid-rise CBD offices for c$200 million with plans for a major entertainment precinct.
All up covering 2143 sqm, that land was until recently earmarked for a $1.8b 49 storey office, Kings Green.
Elsewhere in the city, Lendlease in July teamed with Mitsubishi Estate to deliver the $3b One Circular Quay project.
That development is set to contain the country’s first Waldorf Australia Hotel – which we speculated in August is selling to Andrew Forrest’s Fiveight for c$570m.
Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page.
