Governor Phillip Tower and Governor Macquarie Tower
Sydney, NSW, 2000 AU / NSW
Location Description
Governor Phillip Tower, Governor Macquarie Tower and the Museum of Sydney are the main elements of one of the largest developments in the City of Sydney. Completed in 1994, they occupy an elevated site in the Central Business District’s prestigious north-east area. It incorporates the site of First Government House, one of Australia’s earliest and most significant National Heritage sites. Governor Phillip Tower dominates the site. It sits 10 floors above street level on a series of large zinc-plated transfer beams atop a 4-level sandstone-clad podium (upon which Governor Macquarie Tower also sits). This maximises views for all levels. The façade is of grey granite and glass used to achieve an expensive and highly detailed finish. The steel-bladed roof features have been dubbed the milk-crate. At 227m to the roof, it is the 3rd tallest building in the city, although the taller MLC Centre and World Tower are both only fractionally taller with a 228m roof height. It is arguably the most visually dominating building on Sydney CBD skyline. From many prominent angles, and significantly from most Sydney Harbour viewpoints, it appears as the tallest building on the skyline by a large margin, however this is perspective illusion. Governor Macquarie Tower stands at 39 storeys and is adjacent and south of Governor Phillip Tower. It has identical façade treatments but its form and massing are significantly different with no dramatic roof structure, and it has a staggered, rather than sheer lines. The primary tenant is the NSW Government including the Premier’s Office. The main entry to both buildings is from Farrer Place. They share what is arguably Sydney’s most impressive and grandiose foyer, which links the two buildings and provides another entrance from Phillip Street. The tower was featured throughout Mission: Impossible II as the headquarter of fictional BioCyte company.
Location Category
- BUSINESSES / BUILDINGS - [general]
- BUSINESSES / BUILDINGS - Offices / Office Buildings
- CITIES / TOWNS - [general]
- CITIES / TOWNS - Skylines
- GOVERNMENT - [general]
- GOVERNMENT - Government Offices
- ROADS / HIGHWAYS - [general]
- ROADS / HIGHWAYS - City Streets
