Exciting times await as Mirvac works to create a vibrant new precinct that combines world-class work, retail and community spaces. The Australia Technology Park (ATP), once transformed, will see the addition of three new commercial buildings, two of which will open in the first half of this year.
ATP developer promised that up to 75,000sqm would be reserved for technology use and signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Sydney to support digital and creative industries. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia, on the other hand, will take up 94,000sqm across the three buildings. The bank has signed a 15-year lease and plans to bring 10,000 employees to the new site.
Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp, Sissons, Woods Bagot & Davenport Campbell and COAP architects will all make design contributions to the massive urban regeneration of the ATP.
Just recently, Mirvac has shared plans for an interactive rooftop farm at the ATP development. The farm, which aims to enhance the precinct with greater biodiversity and green space, will be Australia's first Indigenous rooftop farm. It will be run by Aboriginally-owned group, Yerrabingin.
"We’re hoping this will become the prototype for future projects across the country. We’re very excited to be trialling this concept, and we can see a lot of potential for Indigenous rooftop farms elsewhere in Australia,” said Clarence Stockee, a well-known environment and culture educator and a regular presenter on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia.
The intent of the ATP transformation is to become a truly connected, smart precinct. It will bridge the divide between diverse communities—start-ups, scale-ups, and corporates—and drive and support the establishment of new business models and disruptive technologies. Mirvac sees the ATP should enable the technology industry to flourish and grow, thus helping to create more jobs.
Mirvac's Project Director, William Walker, spoke with Jobsite ANZ about the project:
“Mirvac’s technology and innovation precinct, Australian Technology Park in Eveleigh Sydney, has been recently rebranded to South Eveleigh. Sitting on Gadigal country, the site has a long and continuing connection with our indigenous community. In reinstating the Eveleigh name, we are recognising the significance of the original Eveleigh workshops that provided opportunity to past indigenous generations, and ensuring that they feel a part of its future.
“Mirvac has achieved significant construction progress at South Eveleigh with Building 1 and Building 3 approaching completion in April. The precinct is starting to come to life with the revitalisation of the public domain surrounding these buildings including activated spaces, a public park, tennis court, retailers and wellness centre. The art strategy is also progressing with three art works underway at the site including Happy Rain and Eveleigh Tree House. We look forward to celebrating the completion of the precinct with the community and seeing it come to life as a thriving and activated place for Sydney,” said Walker.
With a focus on supporting and connecting those who take up placement in the precinct, a services marketplace will give access to essential key business services. For instance, they are planning to provide mentoring and access to finance. These will increase the chance of success for the newly-emerging businesses as well as help to retain entrepreneurial companies within Australia.
At the time of purchasing ATP, Mirvac researched and committed to a number of things with an aim to develop a technology ecosystem that positions Sydney, and Australia, as a global leader. They hope to produce a strong identity resulting in a sense of belonging.
From a construction point of view, the buildings have been designed to embrace their surrounds whilst incorporating sustainability. Two of the three buildings are targeting a Green Star Design and As-Built v1.1 rating of 6 stars along with a 5-star NABERS energy rating. Their façade materials are high performance and designed to optimise thermal comfort, energy, and visual light transmission.
The external architectural features of both buildings include double glazing, ribbed metal spandrel panels, aluminium battens and louvres for sun shading, expressed bronzed aluminium window frames and aluminium cladding. The northern elevations of the buildings, overlooking the public plaza and locomotive workshops, have been designed to create a soft, distinctive backdrop to the tree canopies and public spaces.
In addition to the three buildings, the former locomotive workshop at the Eveleigh railyards has been transformed into a flexible space called Hoist. It provides a mixture of funky co-working areas, team spaces, workshop areas, and significant event spaces for startups and innovative corporate partners. This chic space brings together startups, corporate partners, incubators, accelerators, and experts in relevant industries, creating an ecosystem of collaboration, growth, and empowerment.
Just metres away, the NSW government has announced the establishment of a new technology industry hub in the Sydney suburb of Eveleigh. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian envisions it to be Australia’s version of Silicon Valley and is yet to name the new development. Global tech giant Atlassian will work with the state government on the project along with representatives from the University of Technology Sydney, University of Sydney and Sydney Business Chamber.
The hub’s ambition is to be home to 10,000 new jobs by 2036. As such,the location of the hub was chosen due to the established transport and infrastructure in the area, as well as the already established technology sector.
Image courtesy of theurbandeveloper.com
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