33 Alfred Street has won the Heritage Development category at the Urban Taskforce Australia Development Excellence Awards 2026.

The award recognises the adaptive reuse of Sydney's first skyscraper by Dexus Wholesale Property Fund (DWPF) and Mirvac Wholesale Office Fund.

Originally completed in 1962, the building has been transformed into a 31,000sqm Premium Grade workplace through more than a decade of planning and a three-year refurbishment. The redevelopment balanced the needs of modern customers with the preservation of the building's architectural heritage.

By retaining and enhancing the existing structure, the transformation of 33 Alfred Street preserved one of Sydney's most recognisable commercial buildings while significantly reducing the project's environmental impact. Reusing the building's structure saved approximately 23,408 tCO₂e in embodied carbon, minimised construction waste and extended the asset's lifecycle. The project has achieved a 6 Star Green Star Design rating and is on track to deliver a 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating, 4.5 Star NABERS Water rating and 6 Star Green Star Office As Built v3 rating.

The refurbishment carefully restored many of the building's defining features while upgrading its performance for the future. More than 5,000 custom-engineered façade panels were installed to retain the building's distinctive gold-and-aluminium façade while improving natural light, reducing glare and enhancing harbour views. The project also delivered a reimagined Modernist-inspired lobby and restored significant heritage elements and artworks throughout the building.

The result is a future-ready workplace that demonstrates how heritage buildings can be successfully reimagined for the next generation.

The award jury recognised 33 Alfred Street as an outstanding example of heritage integration.

Read more about the project here: Honouring heritage, defining the future: The renewal of 33 Alfred Street