270 metre tall Event Cinema, George Street tower needs Aeronautical Impact approval

270 metre tall Event Cinema, George Street tower needs Aeronautical Impact approval
Staff reporterDecember 7, 2020

Sydney’s newest residential tower will rise 270 metres, comprising 80-storeys much of it serviced apartments.

It is so tall it will need approval Aeronautical Impact Assessment approvals.

As it penetrates Sydney Airport’s Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), the infringement triggers a requirement, under the Airports (Protection of Airspace Regulations 1996 (APAR), to need approval for the development from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development (DITCRD).

It will need to see if it can affect the safety, regularity or efficiency of aircraft operations at Sydney Airport.

The Ingenhoven and Architectus scheme proposes a super-slim skyscraper sitting atop a podium that incorporates several levels of retail, two childcare centres and the Event Cinemas which is subject to a long-term lease. 

It will be the tallest residential building in Sydney. China’s state-owned Greenland tower on the old Sydney Water Board building will be 235m high.

Ingenhoven + Architectus beat off design competition entrants such as Bates Smart, Foster + Partners and WilkinsonEyre.

Their $567 million estimated cost came in nearly $14 million cheaper than their nearest competitor. 

The design proposed by Ingenhoven + Architectus aimed to be a landmark for economical, ecological and socially sustainable future-orientated development.

An ‘energy façade’ was proposed with slanted horizontal elements and exposed structural columns to provide sun shading and act as potential hybrid solar collectors.

Its sustainability endeavours also include electric vehicle charging for 5% of car spaces on completion, with capacity to increase over time to reflect the car fleets of the future. 

The George Street frontage (above) was proposed to consist of retail tenancies and a central entrance to the curvilinear through-site link to the building lobbies and Kent Street (below).

The developers secured approval for added height from the City of Sydney in 2014, well above the site’s existing 150 metre limit, after promising community benefits including two childcare centres and a community meeting facility.

The cinema was constructed in 1976 as the Hoyts Cinema.

Düsseldorf-based firm Ingenhoven and Architectus will design the $1 billion George Street super-slim skyscraper at 505-523 George Street.
 
Mirvac and Coombes Property Group are the joint developers.

Coombes Property Group acquired the 4,308sq m site in 2009 from Challenger Financial Services for $85 million.

The mixed-use tower will rise 80-storeys and will include a hotel, units, two childcare centres, retail outlets and a cinema.
 
Construction is expected to take five years with construction likely to commence in 2020 subject to council approval.

Its 507 apartments include 55 studio, 144 one bedroom, 224 two bedroom and 84 three bedroom apartments.

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