Business Insights | How CBRE Development & Infrastructure helped deliver Sydney Metro Martin Place

Complexities of transforming a city icon 

The latest CBRE research forecasts an additional 340,000 migrants to call Australia home by June 2025. As urban populations expand and infrastructure ages, the case for urban renewal projects like Martin Place become more of a necessity. 

“Transforming an existing city block into two landmark office towers which interconnect with the newly built Sydney Metro Martin Place station and 1 Elizabeth Street, all integrating into the heritage-listed 50 Martin Place is not without its challenges. And that’s before we consider the pandemic that occurred in the middle of it all,” says Kristy Hampson, Senior Associate at CBRE Development & Infrastructure.  

The renewal of Martin Place involved a diversity of challenges: 

• Complex integrated development with multiple stakeholders including Sydney Metro, Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, City of Sydney, and Principal Contractor Lendlease 
• Managing design and delivery in a post COVID environment involving supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and implementing new health and safety guidelines 
• Development planning of a busy CBD site with heavy foot traffic 
• Preventing damage to existing heritage building, 50 Martin Place, during planning, tunneling and delivery of the project  
• Managing constraints of working in proximity to CBD residential areas 
• Working through a public domain, managing traffic and pedestrians 
• Working in and around a live train line 

Creating a transport precinct like no other 

CBRE provided the client, Macquarie Group, with construction planning and remediation advice for 50 Martin Place, as well as client-side development support and in-house project management through the design and delivery phases of the Sydney Metro Martin Place integrated station development. 

“The development is a transformative project in the heart of Sydney's CBD, combining a new Metro station with commercial, retail, and public spaces,” says Kristy.  

“It includes two new commercial office towers, 100,000sqm of commercial and retail space, extensive underground pedestrian connections, and enhanced public amenities. The successful completion of the project creates a vibrant, accessible, and sustainable urban precinct that integrates seamlessly with the existing Martin Place railway station. More importantly, it sets a bold new standard for urban development in Sydney by providing a unique platform for new businesses as well as placemaking.”  

The completion of the Sydney Metro Martin Place integrated station development stands as a world-class transport hub addressing three critical provisions:  

1. Enhance precinct connectivity 
2. Support economic growth 
3. Revitalise the CBD  

Real solutions derived from experience 

The finished precinct has already seen a positive impact on the city of Sydney. 

“Since opening the new section of the M1 Metro North West and Bankstown Line from Chatswood to Sydenham in August 2024, Martin Place has received an average of 1.5 million journeys each month across metro and train services,” says Kristy.  

“That represents a 90% increase on the number of passengers at Martin Place Station prior to the commencement of metro services.” 

The CBRE team was embedded with Macquarie Group from 2019 to 2024. This allowed the Development & Infrastructure team to understand the historic technical intricacies of the project and plan ahead. 

Various roles were called upon to address the project’s unique challenges throughout the entire development phase.  

“Managing the initial protective works of an important heritage building required the identification, procurement, and management of a team of specialty contractors and consultants to assess and make safe the asset,” says Lana Edwards, Associate at CBRE Development & Infrastructure. 

“With the scope of works expanded, our team was then able to prepare this iconic structure for increased levels of vibration and movement during the construction phase.” 

CBRE’s work then progressed towards delivering client-side management services and contributing to precinct-wide planning and statutory authority management support. Design management services were provided for both the base building and integrated fit out works. 

“We optimised building management procedures to cope with the impacts to both occupants and building services during construction.” 

Benefits beyond transport 

Whether it’s enhancing living standards, connecting communities, reducing congestion, or promoting sustainable urban growth, the intangible benefits of the new metro station at Martin Place are clear.  

“This development will attract businesses, tourists, and residents, creating a dynamic and bustling precinct. It will also improve pedestrian access, making the CBD even more inviting,” explains Isobel James, Associate at CBRE Development & Infrastructure. 

Ash Nicholson, CBRE’s Director of Government & Industry, sees an even greater impact on the wider community.  

“Sydney Metro Martin Place station stands out as Australia's first fully integrated station. Its innovative design with deep excavations and a three-storey atrium enhances both transport efficiency and urban vitality.”  

“Sydney Metro itself is playing an active role in transforming Sydney into an interconnected city of unique districts, fostering economic growth, enhancing community cohesion, and redefining urban placemaking with its seamless connectivity and support for a vibrant 24-hour economy.”  

“It’s pivotal to the NSW Government's vision of a connected, thriving metropolis, driving economic growth, and enhancing urban liability. This seamless integration of transport and infrastructure planning is the catalyst for resilient and inclusive communities across Greater Sydney.” 

With sustainability being a major objective of the development, both the project’s commercial buildings -1 Elizabeth Street and 39 Martin Place - were designed to achieve the highest possible sustainability certification in Australia - the Green Building Council of Australia’s Design & As-Built 6 Star Green Star rating.  

“The towers boast innovations like rainwater capture and re-use and optimised indoor energy efficiency,” says Isobel. 

“Its public spaces also feature smart technology and maximises natural light throughout the journey from platform level. The commercial components of the buildings are fully electrified in normal operations.” 

Bringing ingenuity to public infrastructure 

Whether it’s reviving a heritage-listed power station such as White Bay into a bustling exhibition space, or creating Australia’s next major airport city, CBRE Development & Infrastructure has been responsible for providing the development talent to bring to life some of Sydney’s most ambitious public projects to date. 

CBRE’s extensive network of commercial property services like tenant representation and facilities management ensure a truly seamless end-to-end experience irrespective of scale. 

From the earliest ideation to laying the final brick and beyond, our experts understand the intricacies of infrastructure. It’s why CBRE has been a leading partner in developing successful places for people to thrive since 1906.