The clock at the heritage-listed site is now restored,two retained exterior walls constructed of rare glazed terracotta ‘faience’ blocks are standing and shiny,and the new building is coming back to life with restaurants,bars and office workers.
Visiting the site last week,NSW state architect Abbie Galvin said it was “a well-known decree from heritage enthusiasts – that the best way to ensure the ongoing role of heritage in the community is to use it”.
Ms Galvin said it was heartening to see owners and developers rise to the challenge of restoring significant buildings of the city’s past. “It’s in projects such as these that we can see those efforts bear fruit – allowing the past and present to respectfully sit side by side,” she said.
“By protecting our past we enrich our present.”
A rare example of interwar commercial palazzo style building in Sydney,Shell House’s retained facade is thought to be among the tallest in the world.
As well as housing National Australia Bank employees,a bar named after the former Menzies Hotel has opened on the ground floor along with an open-airsky bar on the roof. A clocktower bar is set to open this week,looking up at the inside of the clocktower,while a dining room and terrace will open later this month.
Mike Russell,the development director in charge of the Brookfield Place project including the concourse to Wynyard station,said the clock was the “hero” of the $2 billion development.