Sydney Metro is Australia’s biggest public transport project – a network of four metro lines, 113km of new metro rail and 46 stations. Macquarie Group had a bold vision to develop the metro’s Martin Place Station, located in the heart of Sydney CBD, into an integrated precinct.

We collaborated with Macquarie Group as developers of the project, Grimshaw Architects, Lendlease and others to design and deliver an integrated hub where people can work, shop, dine and travel. We provided all engineering disciplines for the development which includes two commercial towers above the new metro station and a pedestrian tunnel to link the two main parts of the development underneath a heritage building.

Guided by the City of Sydney’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan, the precinct offers Sydneysiders what they want from their city – inspiring workplaces, integrated and clean transport, and vibrant urban settings. With a minimum 100-year design life, this station will facilitate low-carbon travel for generations.

Sydney Metro Martin Place video thumbnail
Learn more about Sydney Metro Martin Place integrated station development, a new precinct where people can work, shop, dine and travel

Sydney’s first integrated station development

In Sydney’s CBD at Martin Place, a bustling finance and business hub surrounded by heritage, space for new development is limited. To realise Macquarie Group’s vision, we creatively used above and below ground space to maximise the development’s value and benefit users. 

Unlike typical station designs that segregate underground and aboveground structures, we created a precinct integrating the metro station and two tower developments with shared entrances. An integrated building services strategy that includes housing some of the station’s electrical, communications, and ventilation systems within the towers, optimises the space usage for both the towers and station. The detailed and integrated structural and building services design also allowed the realisation of an additional concourse level in the station’s south entrance area, significantly enhancing the potential for passenger engagement. 

Our integrated approach allows users to enjoy a more open and welcoming space, fostering a cohesive environment where movement between the station and towers is seamless. Hard barriers are removed, promoting inclusivity without separate entrances or spaces. The precinct features enhanced public amenities such as natural light, new and restored public art, and seating. This approach was shaped by extensive community engagement and a human-centered design philosophy. We also used our in-house MassMotion software to simulate passenger flows to ensure safe and efficient journeys for all.

Entrance to the new Sydney Martin Metro Place station

The entrance to Sydney Metro Martin Place Station © Brett Boardman Photography

Entrances ways into the station include an array of artwork

Public art, seating and connections to the metro station and offices © Brett Boardman Photography

Large, hanging sculpture ‘Continuum’ by artist Mikala Dwyer at Martin Place Station © Brett Boardman Photography

Platform with train doors open

Platform at Sydney Metro Martin Place Station © Brett Boardman Photography

Creative tunnelling connects modern and heritage structures

Underneath the precinct is a complex maze of tunnels – Sydney’s existing T4 Eastern Suburbs Line (ESL), Sydney Metro’s tunnels connecting to the metro station and a new pedestrian tunnel connecting people to the station and north and south buildings. The tunnels also intersect several critical services, including heritage sewers, utility tunnels, heritage building foundations and electrical routes.  

The ESL, which runs directly underneath the south tower, had to remain operational during construction. Our structural, geotechnical and tunnelling engineers worked together with the architects to find the best solution to locate the foundations for the building while protecting the movement-sensitive live tunnels below.  The solution was 30-metre-deep piles bored from 2.5m above the ESL tunnel’s crown offset 1.5m from the tunnel walls. A steel sleeve and a large steel section cast into the concrete pile increased stiffness and protected the ESL tunnel without impacting the rail services. 

The pedestrian tunnel is located underneath 50 Martin Place, a 100-year-old heritage building. The ornately finished building is sensitive to ground movement. We undertook 2D and 3D analytical modelling to assess the design of tunnel support for ground and building loads, understand the building’s behaviour and estimate the surrounding ground deformation and foundation settlement of the building. We designed a unique tunnel lining with a series of steel arches used as both a temporary support and permanent structure. A strict instrumentation and monitoring regime provided the design and construction team with live movement data during the works.

A pedestrian walkway within Sydney Metro Martin Place station

Underground pedestrian walkway at Martin Place Station © Brett Boardman Photography

A sustainable and connected legacy for Sydney CBD

Guided by the City of Sydney’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan, the precinct offers Sydneysiders what they want from their city – inspiring workplaces, integrated and clean transport, and vibrant urban settings. With a minimum 100-year design life, this station will facilitate low-carbon travel for generations.  

The two commercial towers have been designed with a target to achieve the highest possible sustainability credentials – the Green Building Council of Australia’s Design and As Built 6 Star Green Star rating. Features include the capture and re-use of rainwater, landscaping and greening throughout the public spaces, implementing smart technology, and maximising natural light throughout the journey from platform level. 

We collaborated closely with Lendlease and the supply chain to develop concrete mixes that minimised the embodied carbon content while ensuring the performance and durability of the structure. Our team rigorously assessed the structure and components to ensure their long-term durability and, where required, safe and simple maintenance. 

Partners & Collaborators

Lendlease