Martin Place Tower A Good Balanced Solution

The approval by the NSW Government of a new tower over the future Martin Place metro station is a good, balanced solution says the Urban Taskforce.

“It is important that the NSW Government works with the private sector in rolling out new metro rail lines and stations and the proposal for the Martin Place station is an excellent example of this.” Says Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnson. “The final setback above a podium of 8 metres maintains the character of Martin Place while allowing a commercial tower to be built over the podium but set back by 8 metres.”

“The City of Sydney has raised concerns that a setback of 25 metres would have been preferable but their comments do not take into account that the adjacent MLC Centre tower is set back far more than this. The proposed tower is well away from the Cenotaph down the far end of Martin Place and is more contextually related to the Reserve Bank building at the top of Martin Place.”

“As Sydney evolves into a global city with a population of 8 million people there will need to be a balance between maintaining the built form of the past and shaping the city of the future. It is good that robust discussion occurs as new proposals are made but ultimately the city must change and evolve.’’

“The government’s decision on the unsolicited proposal for Martin Place Station and related new buildings represents a good balance between the past and the future. The use of the NSW Government Architect Peter Poulet, who strongly supported the 8-metre setback, in achieving this balance is also a good process to ensure quality change occurs in the city.”