Bovis Lend Lease has completed construction and opened the new high-rise 420 George Street, which the company has dubbed Sydney’s 'newest green landmark'.

The developers say it is the first office building to completed since the GFC, as well as being Australia’s first high rise building to achieve a 5 Star Green Star — Office Design v2 Certified Rating.

Bovis Lend Lease was awarded the contract for the project management, design and construction of

420 George Street and the Mid City retail centre in September 2007. Lend Lease design was responsible for the concept design, detailed design and construction phase services, as well as acting as the project’s sustainability consultant. The project architect was Bates Smart.

The tower comprises 38,000 sqm of commercial space across 26 office levels. It is situated above the redeveloped Mid City retail centre, which was also delivered by Bovis Lend Lease earlier this year and has improved pedestrian links between George Street and the Pitt Street Mall.

An innovative 30 metre high atrium maximises natural daylight penetration throughout the office building, with the floor plates designed to achieve maximum efficiency through the side core design and ‘cool solar orientation', which fully utilises the south facing facade.

Additionally, high performance insulating glass reduces the building’s heat loads, while the combined active chilled beam and low airflow-low temperature air conditioning system delivers lower energy consumption, improved indoor air quality, cost efficiency and greater flexibility to tenants.

Rainwater harvesting and capture of the fire protection system test water will be used in the building landscaping reticulation system and for toilet flushing. Bovis Lend Lease has successfully recycled 87 per cent of waste throughout the project construction phase.

Bovis Lend Lease managing director — Australia Tony Costantino said the 420 George Street project effectively sets new standards of sustainable high rise development in busy CBD locations.

He says: "Careful project management and innovative construction solutions have been applied to meet the challenges posed by the site’s location in the heart of Australia’s busiest CBD precinct, surrounded on all sides by existing buildings, including the heritage listed Dymocks building and The Strand Arcade."

"The result is a prime grade office building incorporating cutting edge environmental initiatives delivered safely, on time and on budget, that represents another highlight in our growing track record in the delivery of sustainable office buildings."

Global technical and management support services firm AECOM has just leased approximately 10,000 sqm of office space in the building, joining global tenants State Street Corporation and Virgin Active Health Clubs.

420 George Street, along with the Mid City retail centre that was opened earlier this year, is a Lend Lease development which is co-owned by Fortius Funds Management and Australian Prime Property Fund. Lend Lease’s retail business is responsible for the retail leasing and ongoing management of Mid City.