First look exclusive: Canva's $120 million Surry Hills HQ to get $56 million redevelopment
Billionaire Canva founders Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht are set to redevelop their significant Surry Hills HQ on Kippax Street.
In late 2022 they spent $123.25 million on a nine-level building on Kippax Street, opposite News Corp's Sydney base and a stone's throw from Central Station.
Now they've commissioned Cox Architecture to complete a $56 million redevelopment of the office building which COX says will offer a "benchmark model in the reuse and rejuvenation of an existing tired commercial building."
COX said in their Design Report submitted to the City of Sydney Council that innovation and creativity are at the heart of Canva’s DNA.
"It’s something they’ve always championed when empowering their team to do the best work of their lives. This DNA has translated into their current workplace winning them the coveted prize of Best Workplace for Innovators on the Fast Company’s 2023 list.
"This global best accolade is the benchmark for their project at 8-24 Kippax Street. It will be a workplace imbued with the good vibes of Canva. The conceptual narrative for the building is to create a place that fosters a virtuous cycle of growth and culture. The culture will inform the place and the place will support the culture."
The existing nine-level building facade will be redesigned, while there will be one level added to incorporate a new rooftop and terrace which COX says will offer Canva the opportunity to gather, connect and celebrate their unique ‘vibe’ with employees, collaborators and guests.
"In keeping with Canva`s aspirations of being a “Force for Good”, and the principle to “do more with less”, the proposed rooftop additions maintain as much of the existing building as possible and only makes pragmatic interventions where it improves functional planning or sustainability initiatives, such as introducing natural light.
"The proposed additions will offer a benchmark model in the re-use and rejuvenation of an existing tired commercial building."
Also part of the plans are to remove the ground and underground parking levels and add a new cafe on the ground floor and a gym, studio, and a community space on the lower ground level. Canva will also commission a mural on the eastern facade given the extended building height.
Perkins and Obrecht founded Canva when studying in Western Australia in 2013. Last year Perkins became Australia's youngest billionaire at 36 years old. Her and Obrecht's joint net worth around $10 billion, according to The Australian's latest The List Richest 250.
It was reported last week early investors and employees at Canva will sell around $1.5 billion worth of stock. The company is estimated to be worth around $40 billion.
