88 Walker Street

Tallest building in North Sydney’s skyline

In responding to changes in climate, extreme weather events such as cyclones, strong storms, intense rainfall, heatwaves and droughts were considered in the design. 88 Walker is a unique building, occupying air space above a neighbouring property.

The 10m long cantilever tower transfers 50 storeys over the 1895 heritage-listed Firehouse Hotel. This led to the substantial composite steel and post tensioned concrete transfer structure being developed at the base.

The eccentric loading required complex analysis of creep and shrinkage to control the lean on the tower and complex analysis of building dynamics for wind loading.

Achieving Future Ready^TM excellence

Through close consultation with our client, and assessing the project’s needs through WSP’s Future Ready framework, WSP was able to conceive ground-breaking solutions which met all of our client’s requests. Without sacrificing style for functionality, 88 Walker Street is a benchmark that sets the visual blueprint of what future buildings can look like.

The building is also targeted to achieve a 5-Star Green Star rating, demonstrating Australian Excellence by being a high environmental performer that addresses social issues relevant to the building owner. It is also targeted to achieve a 4.5 NABERS rating upon completion.

Managing community expectations

Key to this project was considering the changes in urbanisation and community expectations for local places; distinguishing North Sydney’s skyline as a unique local place for the city’s inhabitants.

Catering to the demands of the area’s population density, the tower’s design makes efficient use of its limited ground floor footprint featuring, a 252-suite hotel with a reception, restaurant, executive lounge, gym, ground level retail, commercial end-of-trip amenities and 22 levels of light-filled open planned commercial office spaces with a Sydney harbour view.