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Restoration / Adaptive Re-use of a Historic Building
UP TO $5,000,000 G & C WALLER BUILDERS PTY LTD
Cottage Medical on Pulman, Berry
The building at 1 Pulman Street was built in the 1860s to serve as Berry’s first store. Later on it was used as Berry’s first hospital. The building is in a commanding position at the northern entry to Berry but by 2019, it had become very dilapidated. G & C Waller Builders were engaged to undertake a complete restoration of the old house to facilitate its new life as a local medical practice ‘Cottage Medical’. The work involved initial asbestos removal and the replacement of worn timber structural members and flooring, new linings, window replacement and a new roof. The building has been completely rewired, the plumbing and stormwater have been renewed and modern AC and CCTV systems have been added. The judges were very impressed with the quality of the work and the sensitive manner in which the heritage features of the building have been retained. The clients were very proud to show the MBA around their new medical facility.
WINNER
$5,000,001 - $10,000,000 BELMADAR PTY LTD
Dawn Fraser Baths Redevelopment, Balmain
The Council baths on the Western side of the Balmain peninsular were originally built in 1882. They are the oldest remaining example of an enclosed tidal pool in Sydney Harbour and are named in honour of the most famous member of the Balmain Amateur Swimming and Lifesaving Club, Olympic Champion Dawn Fraser. Belmadar won the contract to rectify the somewhat dilapidated timber baths including the raising of the concourse level by 1.25 metres to allow for rising sea levels. Site access down a steep, narrow emergency road was a major difficulty during the project but despite this, Belmadar have produced a sensitive reconstruction of the historic pavilions and boardwalk. As a final touch the flood lights were lifted into place by a helicopter. A worthy category winner!
WINNER
$10,000,001 - $50,000,000 FDC CONSTRUCTION & FITOUT PTY LTD
Retail Flagship, Sydney
The new Retail Flagship (store) was originally built in 1916 as a printing office for The Daily Telegraph newspaper. Later it was occupied by the Bank of New South Wales and then by Cornelius Furs. The client required the site be modernised to meet their exacting standards as a luxury goods retailer. The work involved the demolition of the lower ground floor and extensive modification of the mezzanine floor to create two ‘double height’ spaces. These are connected by a meandering marble and ash timber bespoke staircase which was fashioned using steam treatment by boat builders. The heritage fabric and windows of the building have been carefully restored and the finished store radiates a wonderful ambience.
WINNER
Walsh Bay Arts Precinct Wharf 4/5, Dawes Point
This 100-year-old heritage timber structure has for some time been the home of Sydney Theatre Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Gondwanna Choirs, Sydney Dance Company, The Song Company, and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. The project involved the demolition of the former internal structures and the delivery of new stateof-the-art facilities for the artistic tenants. The works included major structural alterations and fire engineering upgrades to meet the current BCA standards. In particular, many of the aging turpentine piles and supporting timbers had to be replaced and in total over 1000 tonnes of new structural steel members were incorporated into the building. Externally the building retains its heritage appearance but internally the various arts bodies now have wonderful venues in which to perform. An excellent result from the team at Richard Crookes Constructions.
WINNER
Shell House, Brookfield Place, Sydney
This project involved the gutting of the multi-storey Shell House building, demolishing all floors, retaining the entire historic façade, and rebuilding floors to equate to the original 65.5m height. During this process the 400 tonne heritage clock tower was supported. The high quality office building included a fully integrated fit out for the National Australia Bank. Shell House formed part of a complex known as Brookfield Place, with Beneficial House and 10 Carrington St. Shell House was connected to 10 Carrington St by a spectacular full height void, which also provided for the vertical movement of office staff between floors via suspended stairs and bridges to span the void to connect office floors, all in an open plan design.
Shell House
Suspending a 400 tonne clock tower mid-air, and retaining and restoring one of the tallest heritage facades in the world. Breathing new life into the historic Shell House was a challenge we relished. We are immensely proud of what we achieved, and for winning the ‘Restoration / Adaptive Re-use’ award and overall ‘2021 Outstanding Construction Award’ at the MBA NSW Excellence in Construction Awards.
