The MLC building was the largest office block in NSW when it was built in 1957.

The MLC building was the largest office block in NSW when it was built in 1957.Credit:Renee Nowytarger

Mr Harwin said on Wednesday thata report,prepared by the Independent Planning Commission,on the proposal to list the building had agreed with the Heritage Council’s view it should be protected.

He said the listing “celebrates the importance of this building to the history of architectural design in NSW and Australia and will provide protection for its heritage values for future generations”.

Mr Harwin’s announcement was a win for the architects and heritage advocates who have beenfighting to save the Miller Street block amid debate about preserving Sydney’s modern buildings.

However,the decision has in effect ended Investa Property Group’s $450 million proposal to redevelop the site with the complex,designed by architecture firm Bates Smart,and public areas.

The MLC building in North Sydney and the proposed new building.

The MLC building in North Sydney and the proposed new building.

The 14-storey MLC Building – notable for its early use of a glass-curtain wall – was the first high-rise office block in North Sydney when it was completed in 1957.

North Sydney mayor Jilly Gibson has voiced strong support for replacing the locally heritage-listed building with a new office complex close to the future Metro rail station.

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“The decision’s been made,so everyone needs to accept the decision and move forward,” she said.

“Bates Smart are very smart architects,I’m sure they’ll get to work on a new scheme that’s outstanding and respects the decision of the panel.”

The building was the tallest office block in North Sydney when it was built in 1957.

The building was the tallest office block in North Sydney when it was built in 1957.

Investa was contacted for comment. The company has previously objected in the “strongest possible terms” to the potential listing of the block on the state heritage register.

The company argued listing the office building would cause undue financial hardship,requiring hundreds of millions of dollars to be spent on conservation,upgrades,maintenance and repairs.

The commission’s advice,which followed a series of meetings and public submissions,said Investa’s claim that preserving and repairing the block would cause financial hardship was not substantiated.

Investa had not demonstrated the existing block was “incapable of economic or reasonable use”,the panel said.

The commission said upgrades to the block did not need to be as “physically impactful” as the owner submitted and concerns about necessary repairs to the glass curtain wall and improvements to heating and cooling were “all manageable through engineering,maintenance and design responses”.

The panel said the block’s dominant Miller Street wing was the most significant part of the building and demolition of the Denison Street wing could be “desirable to achieve commercial viability”.

The commission acknowledged many of the building’s original features,particularly sections of the glass curtain wall,would need to be replaced to fix “physical deficiencies”.

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“However,the adverse heritage impacts associated with the replacement of even substantial elements of physical fabric would not rise to a level such that the building would cease to be of state significance,” the panel said.

Scott Robertson,president of architectural conservation group Docomomo Australia,said he was “very,very pleased” with the decision to list the building.

“This is a win for a sustainable future as well as the retention of the best from the past,” he said.

Mr Harwin requested advice from the commission in February. A two-member panel of Adrian Pilton and Dr Peter Williams finalised their report last month.

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