Redevelopment begins on $170M MLC Centre

Construction works have begun to add an additional 6000 square metres of retail space across four levels at Sydney’s MLC Centre.

Construction company Probuild is delivering the $170 million upgrade, which aims to turn the precinct into a vibrant community offering retail, dining, cultural and commercial spaces in the Sydney CBD.

Probuild’s NSW Managing Director, Nick Gaudry, said he was proud to be the builder selected to transform MLC Centre.

“MLC Centre is an iconic part of Sydney,” he said.

“Revitalising such a well-known asset is an exciting challenge for Probuild. We’ll be drawing on our expertise as live environment specialists, to keep the construction process as seamless as possible in the busy CBD.”

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The new retail offering will include luxury retail to Castlereagh and King Streets, a new plaza food precinct and a new commercial tower entrance to improve connectivity for workers and visitors.

Woods Bagot was selected as the architect for the project with and Harry Seidler and Associates selected for peer review.

The MLC Centre was originally designed by architect Harry Seidler and opened in 1978. The new development aims to build on Seidler’s design principles by playing on the geometry of the existing forms around the base of the tower to revitalise the public space.

Harry Seidler and Associates Director, Penelope Seidler, said she was excited about the design of the new works proposed for the centre.

“The integrity of Harry’s original architecture is to be re-established and contrasted with new geometries of internally illuminated glass,” she said.

“The MLC Centre will become the glowing core of the centre of Sydney.”

The centre is jointly owned by Dexus and Dexus Wholesale Property Fund.

Redevelopment works on the precinct are expected to be completed by the end of 2021, with several retailers to remain open during construction.