Sydney’s first skyscraper at Circular Quay to get a $200m facelift

Sydney’s first skyscraper, the distinctive AMP tower at Circular Quay is set for a $200 million facelift after 60 years, to bring it into the modern world and connect to the group’s adjoining new shiny tower at 50 Bridge Street, known as the $3 billion Quay Quarter.

Owners AMP Capital Wholesale Office Fund (AWOF) and Dexus Wholesale Property Fund (DWPF) have appointed national construction group Built to take on the job to create a modern post-pandemic-proof building at 33 Alfred Street.

Built constructions will work with the incumbent architects Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW), to redevelop the tower.

The 33 Alfred Street tower, known as the grand old dame of the city skyscrapers, was officially opened by the then Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies on February 23, 1962.

It was the first building in Sydney to break the city’s 150-foot (46-metre) height limit, claiming at the same time the title of being the country’s tallest building at 117 metres. It has been home to AMP and AMP Capital for 60 years, but the staffers will now move to the adjoining Quay Quarter.

The refurbishment will restore the status of 33 Alfred Street as one of Sydney’s most iconic buildings, while retaining its important heritage character and significance.

AWOF fund manager Kit Georgeos

The project is one of the last pieces of the puzzle in the $5 billion transformation of Circular Quay, which has adopted the moniker of the gateway to the country’s biggest city. As part of the rejuvenation, Lendlease is developing the nearby $1.9 billion state-of-the-art office tower anchored by Salesforce.

On the site of the former Gold Fields House on the corner of Pitt Street is the One Circular Quay residential tower owned by Shenzhen-based developers, with the penthouse said to be priced at more than $100 million.

AMP Capital’s adjoining $3 billion Quay Quarter that flows through to Circular Quay with new laneways and retail offerings is set to open soon with former UBS head Matthew Ground’s investment bank Barren­joey committing to several floors in the landmark tower, along with AMP and advisory group Deloitte.