Commercial Lobby & Retail Renovation, Parramatta

This commercial office tower project at 111 Philip Street, Parramatta demonstrates how strategic architectural design can revitalise ageing commercial assets and reposition them for contemporary workplace expectations within one of Sydney’s fastest-growing business districts.

Zoning
The site is zoned E2 Commercial Centre, supporting a range of office, retail and commercial uses within the Parramatta CBD. The zoning encourages employment-generating development and investment in high-quality commercial buildings that contribute to Parramatta’s emergence as Sydney’s second CBD.

Constraints & Opportunities
Located within the evolving Parramatta River precinct, the existing office tower presented an opportunity to improve tenant amenity, modernise its appearance and strengthen its connection to the surrounding public domain. The challenge was to transform an ageing building with a tired lobby and underperforming street presence into a contemporary commercial address capable of competing within a rapidly changing commercial market.

Design Strategy
The architectural design focused on creating a more engaging arrival experience through a refined new lobby featuring upgraded finishes, lighting and spatial planning. Ground floor retail tenancies were reconfigured to better activate the streetscape and increase pedestrian engagement with the surrounding precinct. New shared amenities, secure bicycle storage and end-of-trip facilities were incorporated to support contemporary workplace requirements and encourage sustainable transport choices. The overall design sought to balance functionality, presentation and commercial performance while creating a stronger identity for the building.

Approval Pathway
The project was assessed via the Development Application pathway through Parramatta City Council.

Outcome / Value Proposition
This project demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design can unlock additional value within existing commercial buildings through strategic refurbishment and urban activation. By enhancing tenant amenity, improving the public interface and modernising the building’s identity, the development has become a benchmark project within the client’s commercial portfolio and a significant contributor to the ongoing transformation of Parramatta’s commercial centre.