View source for 25 Martin Place

{{Short description|Skyscraper in Sydney, Australia}}
{{About|the tower on Martin Place formerly known as MLC centre|other similar-named buildings|MLC Building (disambiguation){{!}}MLC Building}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox building
| name             = 25 Martin Place<br>(formerly MLC Centre)
| image            = Mlc center syd.jpg
| image_size       = 180px
| caption          = MLC Centre Sydney
| location         = 19–29 [[Martin Place]], [[Sydney]]
| coordinates      = {{coord|-33.868019|151.20932400000004|region:AU|display=inline,title}}
| status           = Completed
| start_date       = 1972
| completion_date  = 
| opening          = {{Start date and age|1977|df=yes}}<ref name=empor>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040415142611/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=108161 MLC Centre, Sydney {{!}} Emporis.com]}}</ref>
| building_type    = Commercial
| antenna_spire    = 
| roof             = {{convert|228|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| top_floor        = 
| floor_count      = 67<ref name=mlc1>[http://www.mlccentre.com.au/Core/Content/Public-Home-Page/Content1438.aspx MLC Centre - Welcome to the MLC Centre] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206171920/http://www.mlccentre.com.au/Core/Content/Public-Home-Page/Content1438.aspx |date=2008-12-06 }}</ref>
| elevator_count   = 26<ref name=mlc2>[http://www.mlccentre.com.au/Core/Content/Lifts/Content1468.aspx MLC Centre - Lifts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223020937/http://www.mlccentre.com.au/Core/Content/Lifts/Content1468.aspx |date=2008-12-23 }}</ref>
| cost             = 
| floor_area       = 
| architect        = [[Harry Seidler]]
| structural_engineer = 
| main_contractor  = [[Lend Lease Projects|Civil & Civic]]
| developer        = [[MLC Limited]]
| owner            = [[Dexus]]
| management       = 
| references       = 
| website          = {{URL|www.25martinplace.com.au/}}
| embedded         = {{Tallest buildings in Australia|taller=[[World Tower]]|theight=230m|shorter=[[Governor Phillip Tower]]|sheight=227m}}{{s-start}}
{{succession box |  
| before = [[Quay Quarter Tower]]  
| after = [[Rialto Towers]] 
| title = [[List of tallest buildings in Australia|Tallest building in Australia]]  
| years = 1977–1986
}}
{{Succession box
 | title  = [[List of tallest buildings in the Southern Hemisphere|Tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere]]
 | years  = 1977–1986
 | before = [[Carlton Centre]]
 | after  = [[Rialto Towers]]
}}
{{s-end}}
}}
'''25 Martin Place''' (formerly and still commonly known as the '''MLC Centre''') is a [[skyscraper]] in [[Sydney]], [[Australia]]. Originally named the "MLC Centre" after [[MLC Limited]], and still commonly referred to by that name, in 2021 the name was removed by its owner, Dexus, which now refers to the building simply by its street address of 25 [[Martin Place]].<ref>[https://www.shoppingcentrenews.com.au/shopping-centre-news/feature-stories/mlc-centre-sydney-gets-a-new-name-as-part-of-a-170m-transformation/ Shopping Centre News - MLC Centre, Sydney gets a new name as part of a $170m transformation]</ref>

==Design and construction==
The building's construction was controversial, since it brought about the demolition in 1971-2 of the famous 19th century [[Australia Hotel]], the [[Theatre Royal, Sydney|Theatre Royal]], and the splendid Commercial Travellers Club building on the corner of [[Martin Place]], all of which formerly stood on the site.<ref name=sydney>{{cite web|url=https://meetings.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/documents/s17676/Attachment%20C6%20-%20MLC%20Centre.pdf|title=MLC Centre Complex, including Theatre Royal, commercial and retail buildings significant interiors, plazas and artworks|date=18 July 2018|publisher=City of Sydney|access-date=28 October 2022|pages=4–5}}</ref>

Designed by architect [[Harry Seidler]], it stands at a height of 228 metres (748&nbsp;ft) with 67 storeys,<ref name=empor /><ref name=mlc1 /> and remains one of his most definitive works. The building was awarded the 1983 [[Sir John Sulman Medal]] by the [[Australian Institute of Architects]].<ref name=empor /> The contractor was [[Civil & Civic]]. It was officially opened by the [[List of governors-general of Australia|Governor-General]], [[Zelman Cowen|Sir Zelman Cowen]], in September 1978.<ref name=sydney/>

==Location and features==
The building is a stark white, [[modernism|modernist]] column in an octagonal floorplan, with eight massive load-bearing columns in the corners that taper slightly towards the top. It is one of the world's tallest [[reinforced concrete]] buildings and was one of the tallest buildings in the world outside North America at the time of its completion. The MLC Centre was Sydney's tallest office building from 1977 to 1992.<ref name=empor /> The MLC Centre is wholly owned by [[Dexus]], which acquired a half-stake in the property from the [[Queensland Investment Corporation]] in June 2017<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/dexus-to-raise-550m-in-sydney-office-push/news-story/35f0f4085049c4b18247ea4873f55804 Dexus to raise $550m in Sydney office push] ''[[The Australian]]'' 21 June 2017</ref> and bought out its former co-owner, the [[GPT Group]], in March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.australasianlawyer.com.au/news/hsf-helps-sell-halfstake-in-sydneys-iconic-mlc-centre-261663.aspx|title=HSF helps sell half-stake in Sydney's iconic MLC Centre|last=Dolor|first=Sol|website=Australasian Lawyer|access-date=2019-03-27}}</ref> The MLC Centre was also Australia's tallest building for nine years until losing the title to the [[Rialto Towers]] in [[Melbourne]] in 1986.

Occupants include the [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office]] in Sydney (TECO), [[Cognizant]], [[Servcorp]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Serviced Offices in Sydney {{!}} MLC Centre|url=https://www.servcorp.com.au/en/serviced-offices/locations/sydney/mlc-centre/|access-date=2021-11-17|website=www.servcorp.com.au}}</ref> and former [[Prime Minister of Australia]], [[John Howard]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kearney|first=Simon|date=2010-10-30|title=Former PMs costing us millions|work=Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/former-pms-costing-us-millions/news-story/1be773e4d5a5d5de1f7e49273d2943aa|access-date=2021-11-17}}</ref> The podium of the building includes a shopping centre and a 1,186-seat theatre, the Theatre Royal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Theatre Royal Sydney|url=https://www.theatreroyalsydney.com/|access-date=2021-11-17|website=Theatre Royal Sydney|language=en}}</ref>

The building underwent a $100m repair project which installed hybrid corrosion protection to the facade. The project retained the original appearance of the structure but remedied damage to exposed aggregate precast concrete facade panels caused by expansive corrosion of steel reinforcement. In June 2021, it was rebranded from the MLC Centre to 25 Martin Place.<ref>[https://www.shoppingcentrenews.com.au/shopping-centre-news/feature-stories/mlc-centre-sydney-gets-a-new-name-as-part-of-a-170m-transformation/ MLC Centre, Sydney gets a new name as part of a $170m transformation] ''Shopping Centre News'' 3 June 2021</ref>

==In popular culture==
The building was the headquarters of the fictitious "Harper Mining" company in the opulent 1980's television soap opera ''[[Return to Eden]]''.

The building was the centre of the storyline in the first episode of the Australian television drama, ''[[Police Rescue]]'', airing in 1991. Sergeant Steve "Mickey" McClintock ([[Gary Sweet]]) is seen abseiling off the top of the building in the first half of the episode to persuade a man threatening to commit suicide not to jump.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

25 Martin Place was also prominently featured in the music video for [[Anthem for the Year 2000]] by Australian rock band [[Silverchair]]. Released in 1999 as the lead single from their third album, [[Neon Ballroom]], the video includes exterior and interior shots of the building, using its façade and modernist architectural details as a backdrop to the song's themes of youthful rebellion and societal critique. Participants in the music video recall meeting at Martin Place for the filming, which involved thousands of Silverchair fans. The appearance helped cement the building's recognition among a wider Australian audience during the late 1990s and is occasionally noted in media and fan references to the band’s early career.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:MLC Centre in Sydney.jpg|View from [[Sydney Tower]]
File:Artistic sketch of The Australia Hotel on Castlereagh Street, Sydney, published in the Sydney Harbour Bridge opening programme, 19 March 1932.jpg|The Australia Hotel, 1932, demolished to make way for the MLC Centre.
File:View of Martin Place from Castlereagh St, Sydney (NSW) (7417190710) (2).jpg|[[Martin Place]] in the early 1950s. The building on the corner to the left is the Commercial Travellers Club Building and the 'modern' (c. 1930) twin-wings of the Australia Hotel next to it were demolished in 1971–1972 to make way for the MLC Centre.
File:MLC Centre Podium 2017.jpg|Podium area
File:MLC Centre on Martin Place.jpg|Commercial Travellers' Association building
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Stack|{{Portal|Architecture}}}}
* [[List of tallest buildings in Sydney]]
* [[Architecture of Sydney]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.mlccentre.com.au/ Official site]
* [http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/four-years-and-100m-for-city-tower-repair-job-20111106-1n225.html/ Four years and $100m for city tower repair job]

{{Sydney skyscrapers}}
{{Skyscrapers in Sydney}}
{{Architecture of Sydney |state=autocollapse}}

[[Category:Harry Seidler buildings]]
[[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Sydney]]
[[Category:Retail buildings in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1977]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures awarded the Sir John Sulman Medal]]
[[Category:Martin Place]]
[[Category:King Street, Sydney]]