Grosvenor Place
Overview
Grosvenor Place is one of the most complex and celebrated works by architect Harry Seidler, who conceived it as a civic sculpture and a ‘camera to the view’. Its two crescent towers, split by an elliptical core, function as ‘convex lenses’ focused towards the Sydney Opera House to the east and Darling Harbour to the west.
Built in 1989, Grosvenor Place was heralded on completion for its column-free floor plates and innovative environmental design, including external sun louvres to maximise daylight and minimise air conditioning. Grosvenor Place won Seidler his fifth Sulman Award for Public Architecture from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
In 2021, Melbourne studio DesignOffice transformed the upper and lower lobbies into the Grosvenor Business Lounge. It has a grand sense of scale, is flooded with natural light and features modern design touches. The refurbishment preserves Grosvenor Place’s history while providing a contemporary, collaborative space.
Accessibility
Actively welcomes people with access needs.
Caters for people who are blind or have vision loss
Caters for people who use a wheelchair.
Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
Have Braille and tactile signage on all information and paths of travel
Have a step free main entrance to the building and/or reception area (includes ramps or slopes with a maximum gradient of 1:14, otherwise are too steep for wheelchairs)
Have an accessible public toilet which is unlocked
Have doorways which are easy to open and have lever handles (doorways 850mm or wider when open and not heavy)
Have grab rails in the bathroom
Have lifts with enough space for people using a mobility aid to enter and turn around to use the lift buttons. Buttons are at accessible height.
Provide information in large print
Provide seating in common areas including reception area
Use floors/coverings which are slip resistant, firm and smooth
Use Plain English / easy read signage and information (includes menus and emergency information)
Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)
