Victoria Cross Tower has opened in North Sydney, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of the wider VicX precinct, an integrated, transit-oriented development centred on the Victoria Cross Metro Station. More than a standalone commercial building, the development integrates infrastructure, workplace, retail and public domain to reposition North Sydney’s CBD as a connected, mixed-use urban centre.
A precinct shaped by transit
Located directly above the new metro station, the VicX precinct is structured around movement and accessibility. The development introduces a network of pedestrian connections, including a through-site link between Miller and Denison Streets that doubles as a retail laneway, improving permeability across what was previously a fragmented urban fabric.
At ground level, a new civic square and landscaped public domain extend the surrounding street network, while the station entry is clearly integrated into the precinct. Escalators connect directly to the concourse below, streamlining commuter flows and reinforcing the site’s role as a key transport interchange within Sydney’s expanding metro system.
Stitching together the urban fabric
The project is designed to reconnect North Sydney’s commercial core with a more human-scaled public realm. The east–west laneway, approximately 7.5m wide, is lined with food and beverage outlets and informal gathering spaces, creating an active street frontage throughout the day.
This finer-grain urban approach is complemented by a series of plazas, tree-lined areas and seating zones that encourage social interaction beyond traditional office hours. By extending activity into evenings and weekends, the precinct aims to shift the CBD from a predominantly 9-to-5 environment towards a more continuous urban experience.
A tower designed as part of a larger system
Designed by Bates Smart in collaboration with Cox Architecture and ASPECT Studios, Victoria Cross Tower is conceived as both a landmark and an integrated component of the precinct.
The building presents a singular form on the skyline, yet reveals a more complex composition at closer range. Its massing is articulated through a series of expressed volumes, typically spanning 8 to 12 storeys, which break down the overall scale while responding to orientation and views towards Sydney Harbour. A finely tuned façade system incorporates external shading that varies across elevations, contributing to both performance and visual depth.
Reframing the commercial workplace
The tower’s workplace strategy emphasises flexibility, connectivity and shared spaces. Large, open floorplates supported by long-span structures are designed to maximise visual and physical links across work environments, accommodating evolving office needs.
A key feature is the sky lobby, located above ground level and conceived as a social and transitional space rather than a purely functional one. Overlooking the Miller Street public domain, it includes informal meeting areas, lounge spaces, a café and access to external terraces. These elements extend activity vertically, creating additional layers of engagement within the building.
At street level, retail and dining offerings are positioned between the tower entrance and the metro station, reinforcing the connection between commuter flows and everyday urban life.
Sustainability and performance
Victoria Cross Tower incorporates a range of sustainability measures aligned with contemporary commercial standards. The building operates on fully electric systems and has achieved a 6 Star Green Star Design rating, alongside a Platinum WELL certification for its core and shell. It is also targeting a 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating, reflecting a focus on both environmental performance and occupant wellbeing.
A new phase for North Sydney
Delivered by Lendlease in collaboration with Sydney Metro, the VicX precinct represents a broader shift in how commercial districts are conceived. By aligning high-density development with public transport infrastructure and an activated public realm, the project illustrates a move towards more integrated and resilient urban models.
As North Sydney continues to evolve, Victoria Cross Tower and the wider VicX precinct signal a transition from a traditional business district to a more diverse and connected urban environment, where transit, workplace and public life intersect.
