Robert Bird Group is continuing to support Freecity on the recently approved mixed-use residential and hotel tower at 153-157 Walker Street, North Sydney. Designed by Architectus, the 51-storey development will provide approximately 51,858 sqm of gross floor area, with ground-floor retail, hotel accommodation at the lower levels and 296 residential apartments above.

The development incorporates a substantial multi-level basement on a compact, sloping site bounded by existing buildings. At ground level, a landscaped through-site link will improve pedestrian access between Walker Street and Doris Fitton Park. Robert Bird Group has provided civil and structural engineering services from the early concept stages, working with Freecity, Architectus and the wider project team.

During the planning stage, Robert Bird Group supported optioneering to inform the commercial viability of different development pathways. The team assessed column grids, transfer strategies and the structural response needed to support the evolving design. Drawing on our experience of deep basement construction and nearby North Sydney developments, Robert Bird Group established the spatial allowances required for perimeter retention structures and shoring early in the design process.

The proposed structural design comprises a traditional concrete structure with post-tensioned slabs. Carefully coordinated transfer solutions will resolve the changing column grids between the hotel and residential levels, supporting an efficient structural solution throughout the tower.

Matt Orford, Principal at Robert Bird Group, said the project highlights the value of early structural input on constrained mixed-use sites.

“A key part of our role to date has been to help test the options, simplify the structural pathway and give the team clear advice on the systems needed to support the design. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Freecity and the project team as the project progresses.”