Sydney, NSW: North Sydney’s tallest tower, the $372 million 88 Walker, has received the coveted Commercial Development Award at the recent 2024 Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards. This represents the first commercial development award win for prolific developer Billbergia.
Delivered by Billbergia in 2023 and designed by award-winning architects fitzpatrick + partners, the iconic mixed-use tower stands 50-storeys and180 metres high. It comprises a 20 level 252-room Citadines Walker North Sydney hotel, and 24 levels of premium boutique office space.
“We are thrilled to see 88 Walker recognised for its innovation across architectural design and urban planning, engineering and construction. This stand-out project was made possible through the collaboration of our in-house design, engineering and construction teams and architects fitzpatrick + partners,” said Saul Moran, Development Director – Planning and Design at Billbergia.
88 Walker is a pair of curved forms with a striking cantilevered design – a stunning feat of engineering almost four years in the making – allowing the tower to hover weightlessly above the adjacent heritage Firehouse Hotel. The signature cantilever also features a lantern-like illuminated soffit which gently lights the streetscape below, as a public art project.
A through-site link now connects Walker Street to Little Spring Street, pedestrianising the precinct in line with North Sydney Council’s Laneway Network initiative, and boosting connectivity to the nearby Victoria Cross Metro station.
“88 Walker has enhanced pedestrianisation and transport connectivity and also stimulated after-hours economic activity – all contributing to the ongoing transformation of North Sydney’s streetscape,” said Mr Moran.
“We are exceptionally proud of 88 Walker’s outcome as a unique and sought-after mixed-use development. This award solidifies 88 Walker as an iconic addition to the North Sydney skyline and showcases its impact on a national stage,” said Paul Reidy, Partner at fitzpatrick + partners.
The project also recently received two coveted awards from the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).
Founded in 1999, the Urban Taskforce is a not-for-profit industry body which represents Australia’s property developers and equity financiers. The Urban Taskforce advocates for quality high quality design and development, aiming to boost economic activity and quality of life within urban communities.
