131 Macquarie Street, Sydney

31 Macquarie Street is located between Bridge and Bent Streets opposite the Royal Botanical Gardens. The landmark Macquarie Street commercial building has sweeping views of Sydney Harbour and is located next to the historic Astor Apartments.

In 2020, RM Watson was engaged by Acor Consultants to carry out various façade remedial works including concrete repair, structural rehabilitation, façade coating and the reinstatement of architectural details. Specific scope items completed across the duration of the project included:

• Approximately 6,700 litres of external façade concrete repairs across the eastern and western elevations.
• The installation of supporting structural steel at each level across 54 locations to support the existing terracotta blockwork.
• Stabilisation of terracotta blockwork through the installation of 2600 stainless steel remedial ties.
• Full façade overcoat to the 17 storey CBD block.

Works were accessed through a combination of swing stages and rope to manage the efficient delivery of labour and material across the site while also ensuring the safety of workers and pedestrians below.

Works were undertaken during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As an operational commercial building in the CBD, RM Watson had to develop a comprehensive COVID-19 management plan following the commencement of work to ensure the absolute safety of workers and tenants alike. Following a strict protocol for access, tenant interaction and programming led to the team completing the project three months ahead of schedule without any issues relating to the COVID protocols.