Back when it opened in 1977 the MLC Centre was one of the pioneers of high fashion retailing in Australia. Today, lovers of leading international and Australian fashion brands still know where to head for the best range of designer labels in Sydney - the MLC Centre.
If you can pull yourself away from the sumptuous fabrics and wonderful designs, you´ll discover the perfect café for a coffee with friends, alfresco dining for a leisurely lunch and bars where you can soak up the city atmosphere over a cocktail. Or if you´re in a rush there is a range of eateries in the food court.
You´ll also discover a range of jewellery, giftware, beauty products and everyday services. More than an exclusive fashion destination, the MLC Centre is your complete city shopping experience.
Designed by the esteemed Harry Seidler (1923 - 2006), the MLC Centre is an integral part of one of Sydney´s architectural icons. At 67 storeys and a height of 228 metres (748 feet), the MLC Tower was the tallest building in Australia when completed in 1978 and remained the tallest building in Sydney until 1992.
The MLC Tower is impressive without being overbearing. That it only occupies 20% of the site area gives it breathing space and also opens up public areas for city workers and shoppers to relax in.
The demands of the site itself - specifically the intricacies involved in unifying the 23 individual sites which were amalgamated into the final site - influenced the design. The irregular octagon shape of the building was obtained by chamfering a square. Seidler rotated the square so that it aligns diagonally across the site, ingeniously avoiding a pair of underground railway tunnels.
Central to the success of the MLC Tower is the MLC Centre. It is designed as a podium of plazas on various levels which open out onto the surrounding streets and contain shopping arcades and a large plaza with outdoor restaurants at its centre. The interior is opened up to daylight by a circular open well covered with a huge freestanding glass umbrella.
The MLC centre was constructed to include the 1,100 seat Theatre Royal, a tiered restaurant opposite the tower lobby, new quarters for the Commercial Travellers Club, two levels of shopping arcades and parking for 350 cars. At street level, the outward facing boundary shops effortlessly integrate with the adjoining shopping along King and Castlereagh streets.
Harry Seidler was one of the last of the generation of ´machine age architects´ whose work is international, rather than self-consciously Australian. Although his work includes identifiably Australian values it is primarily orientated to the wider world. You see this reflected in his choice of art for the MLC Centre. The yellow 'S' sculpture by Charles Perry on the top plaza demonstrates the architectural principle of constructions based on standard elements. The blank wall of the adjacent office building overlooking the MLC plaza is enlivened by an aluminium relief by Josef Albers.
Vital statistics
Levels: 67
Height: 228 metres
Built: 1972-1978
Architect: Harry Seidler
Address: Corner of King Street, Castlereagh Street and Martin Place, Sydney
Awards:
Sir John Sulman Medal, RAIA, 1983
RAIA Civic Design Award, 1981
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