MLC building faces partial demolition, redevelopment

“The current scheme does not retain any significant part of the building and is tantamount to the construction of a new building, with part of the new building being a partial replica of the original,” she said.

“The wholesale removal of most of the building’s original fabric is considered to be excessive and will lessen, if not entirely remove, the building’s significance.”

The National Trust of Australia NSW branch said demolition of the building’s core and the Denison Street wing was largely justified. But it said the entire building was heritage-listed and the three separate sections could not be “severed” without compromising the integrity of the overall design.

“We believe that there is a danger of too much original material and detail being lost in this proposal for reconstruction, not adaptive reuse,” it said.

Sydney architect and conservationist Louise Cox said the developer was looking for “excuses for not saving anything”.

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“Everyone should be looking at the benefits available and stop putting ridiculous arguments together to demolish the building. [It] must not be demolished,” Cox said.

The National Institute of Architects NSW branch executive director Lisa King acknowledged the need for significant upgrades, but she said the block “offers sound functionality in today’s context”.

Investa is also considering lodging a state significant development application to use the upgraded complex for an “educational establishment” featuring “best-in-class” education facilities.

It follows a 2023 a proposal to turn the office block into 340 build-to-rent apartments, which prompted North Sydney’s mayor to say such a conversion to residential units would kill the CBD.

Investa said it was exploring various options to “unlock 105 Miller Street’s tremendous potential, to the economic and social benefit of the North Sydney community and Investa’s fiduciaries”.

A spokeswoman said those options included the revised office scheme, as well as seeking state government approval for an educational establishment. However, no decisions had been made.

“Investa remains committed to unlocking a solution for the asset that best balances community, commercial and heritage considerations,” the spokeswoman said.

The Heritage Council of NSW in April passed a resolution noting members’ support for the adaptive reuse of the MLC Building and gave their in-principle backing to Investa’s development application.

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But it said any changes to the Miller Street wing should minimise the demolition or replacement of significant heritage features and prioritise the conservation and retention of the curtain wall materials.

The council said an educational facility “would allow for greater retention of the remaining fabric that represents aspirations of the original modernist design”.

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