We approached Greenland with two key goals in mind. Firstly to create a new 40-storey building to sit on top of an existing and much smaller one. And secondly to create a vast outdoor living space reimagined for a new age of high-rise apartment living.

To transform the aging 1970s Water Board building into a 21st century high-rise meant wrestling with some significant challenges. In particular - the original building was built right up to its western boundary. The new building could not be. So to enable the vast windows and oversized outdoor space we envisaged, the new tower had to literally, shift.

We designed a cantilevered structure supported by a transfer floor which could take the weight of an additional 40 storeys. It sits on the top of the existing building, holding out the new, to open up space on the boundary line. It’s a feat of design, engineering and diplomacy as we renegotiated the zoning rules to make this new kind of tower possible.

Standing at the base of Greenland Centre and looking up, this cantilever is a curious and compelling feature of the silhouette. Visually, the angled truss makes the blend of old and new explicit. It builds the story of its adaptation, into the very design of the contemporary building.

Inside each apartment, floor to ceiling windows frame an expansive outlook. The spectacular views from the mountains to the sea are made possible by the 'Sydney Verandah', designed especially for Greenland Centre.

The Sydney Verandah is a true innovation for inner city high rise living. Angled panes of glass are suspended from hand-like clips enabling fresh air, gentle breeze and light rain into the space whilst it remains protected. And the generosity of the verandah significantly extends the living and entertaining space.

Above 20-storeys, apartment living traditionally relies entirely on air-conditioning for ventilation, with high winds making open air impossible. Not at Greenland Centre. Though 235m tall, residents as high up as the rooftop, can embrace the open air (although air- conditioning is installed for those days when it’s preferred).

At ground level Greenland Centre hosts retail space and a dedicated Creative Hub comprising state-of-the-art rehearsal and production spaces that wrap around an internal, above-ground carpark.

It’s both an innovative solution to mask the carpark and a gift to the city’s creative community from the City of Sydney, managed by Brand X.

The entrance to the Greenland Centre and the Creative Hub features original, site-specific works by artists Agatha Goethe-Snape (Australia) and Larry Bell (USA). Agatha’s piece responds to the cultural history of the site and the existing building. Larry’s work responds to the building’s geometry and urban corner setting.

From humble beginnings as the old Sydney Water Board, Greenland today is a blend of creative town planning and design innovation. And, of course, the best views in Sydney.